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9HD confirmed for July 1st launch on Southern Cross

Good news for viewers in regional Queensland, regional Victoria and southern NSW.

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9HDSouthern Cross has now confirmed 9HD will be available in its regional markets from July 1st after all.

The update follows SCA originally advising it would be delayed in regional Queensland, regional Victoria and southern NSW, along with 9Life, when its affilaite deal with Nine begins next week.

Rick Lenarcic, Head of Regional Media, SCA said: “From Day 1 when we start broadcasting Nine programs in standard definition on channel 5 on the remote control, we will also be broadcasting 9HD on channel 50.”

“I am pleased to be able to advise viewers that the third State of Origin on Wednesday 13 July will be in HD. In addition, in Queensland and NSW, all NRL Season games on 9, starting with the Storm versus the Broncos on 1st July will be in HD.”

To get the new channel operational SCA had to order new equipment from overseas and Lenarcic, thanked Cisco and staff for helping to launch the channel ahead of schedule.

“Recognising how much our viewers value the quality of high definition, our technical staff have been working tirelessly to get HD to air as quickly as possible,” he said.

No confirmation on 9Life as yet, still due in mid-August, with content available on 9NOW.

21 Responses

  1. Since the switch I’ve lost sound on GEM. I used to get sound fine and it’s the only channel not working after the switch. Does anyone know why?

  2. I’m totally confused, this sounds worse than the situation in the US with how their affiliate deals work. Dumb question but where does this leave the TEN regional channels?

    1. They are powering down their HD broadcast because (it looks like) they won’t be broadcasting TEN HD. Or it’s just WIN having their second shot at Nine. Their first shot a Nine was moving A Current Afair to 1:00am on GEM instead of its usual (for regional) 7:00pm on GEM.

      1. Firstly, WIN moved ACA to GEM at 7:30 to accommodate WIN Local News at 7pm. Nine then replaced the 7:30-8pm & 8pm-8:30 programs with a 1 hr. program 7:30-8:30, effective freezing ACA out of 7:30 on GEM. There were no other available spots after 7pm where WIN could run ACA.

  5. Now its getting confusing…….In Mildura, the long ignored player in this and other tv saga’s I have just noticed Millionaire Hotseat is now in upscaled SD. The HD logo has gone and now the Channel Nine News has just started and it is in upscaled SD. The WINHD was very good. What is going on?

    1. They are powering down their HD broadcast because (it looks like) they won’t be broadcasting TEN HD. Or it’s just WIN having their second shot at Nine. Their first shot a Nine was moving A Current Afair to 1:00am on GEM instead of its usual (for regional) 7:00pm on GEM.

    2. I am concerned for the many Origin fans in Mildura who won’t get to see the final game. Despite many AFL followers many of my colleagues have been following it. Just as well we know the outcome already.

      David – can viewers in places like Mildura stream live on tablets from July 1? Not familiar with their set up.

      1. @Elizabeth: Due to rights restrictions, you won’t be able to watch the State of Origin (or any NRL games) on the 9Now app/web site, regardless of your location. The only official way to watch it would be to use the NRL app (which costs a couple of bucks per week). Of course there are many other less legal options to watching the game live too.

  8. The “Nine on 5” guide tells us Nine’s programming will be on 5,50,51,52, 53 and 54 from July 1. (Except 9Life which is delayed). Fair enough, but is there somewhere we can find specifics? E.G. What channel will carry GEM, ditto GO!?
    Or do we wait until the day to set up recording?

    1. I’d be surprised if it didn’t follow the capital cities. 50 9HD; 5/51 9SD; 52 9Gem; 53 9Go; 54 9Life. 9Go may also be available on 55 or 59 (it’s 93 and 99 in capital cities)

    2. According to the Nine on 5 website (nineon5.com.au) these are the channel placings:
      5 – Channel 9
      50 – 9HD
      51 – Channel 9
      52 – 9Gem
      53 – 9Go!
      54 – 9Life (delayed)

      There will also be SCA’s shopping channel Aspire TV on 56

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