Nine program director Hamish Turner to lead streaming service 9Now
Nine program director Hamish Turner is to take charge of 9Now as the network looks to leverage of the growing importance of its streaming service.
Turner will take the role of director of 9Now and programming, with a brief to lead 9Now on the next stage of its growth.
Nine program director Hamish Turner. Photo Louise Kennerley
Nine said it has recorded a 53% lift in live streaming 2021, driven by the growth of connected TVs, and a 23% increase in on-demand viewing.
In a note to staff, director of television Michael Healy and chief digital officer Alex Parsons, said events such as last weekend’s NRL Grand Final demonstrated the reach of streaming services.
“This year 363,000 watched on 9Now and we expect that number to materially grow in the future as we continue to shape the way Australian’s consume content,” they said.
“The change in Hamish’s role signals our focus on the next steps in 9Now’s growth and his brief is to lead 9Now as we embark on the next stage of growth as part of Australia’s leading TV platform.”
Healy and Parsons said the launch of Love Island Australia will again challenge “how the industry defines TV success”.
“Overnight linear numbers are no longer the sole metric of success but we’re definitely getting better as a business at telling the Total TV story and Hamish’s brief will be to continue to drive 9Now,” they said.
“We have leveraged the success of our television business using the strength of our unique Australian content whether it be 9News or our shows like Married at First Sight, Lego Masters and The Block and used it as a foundation to build 9Now to what it is today. 9Now is the clear leader in the Australian commercial BVOD space.
“Hamish has been a part of all these decisions and is perfectly placed to work… on the next stage of 9Now’s growth cycle.”
