Nine’s Hugh Nailon expands remit, Michael Best returns in major TV news changes
Nine has made several senior appointments in its TV News & Current Affairs division, including a new national news director, Sydney news director, and US bureau chief.
Melbourne news director Hugh Nailon has been promoted to the newly-created national TV news director role, tasked with overseeing the network’s state TV news directors.
Nailon described working for 9News as “an absolute privilege”, and said he looks forward to his expanded remit, “which allows me to support and inspire the talented teams in Nine’s newsrooms around the country and our foreign bureaus”.
Reporting to Nine’s director of TV News & Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, Nailon will continue his post in Melbourne in tandem with the national gig.
Hugh Nailon
Late last year, Nailon confirmed the appointment of a new deputy news director, Nathan Tanti, in order for him to “step up and help out with key elements of the broader news network”.
Dear called Nailon “one of Australia’s most experienced news leaders”, and said he was the standout candidate for this national leadership role.
“Hugh has done a terrific job unofficially acting in this capacity since December, so I am excited to formalise this appointment,” she explained.
Meanwhile, journalist Michael Best has been appointed Sydney news director, with oversight of Nine’s largest TV newsroom, taking the role left vacant by Simon Hobbs last year.
It marks a return to Nine for Best, who has over 20 years of newsroom experience under his belt. He previously held roles in Nine’s Europe Correspondence team, serving from London, as well as experience in Nine’s Brisbane operations.
He first left Nine in 2022 to pursue senior comms roles at Tattarang and Minderoo, as well as Gladstone Ports Corporation.
Dear said of Best’s return: “We’re excited to welcome Michael home to Nine and to 9News Sydney. Michael is a collaborative and supportive leader and a passionate newshound, which is a winning combination for this role.
“We’re particularly excited about his ability to hit the ground running at Nine, while bringing a new and fresh perspective to the Sydney newsroom. “
Best echoed Dear, adding that he is “proud and excited” to be returning to 9News.
“I have always believed in the critical role great journalism plays in society. At a time when we have unlimited access to information, we need a trusted source that we can rely on to make informed decisions every day for our families, our businesses and our lives,” he said.
“Now, more than ever, Sydney needs the facts. That’s what 9News Sydney delivers every single day. I am looking forward to continuing the important legacy of 9News Sydney and building our connection with the people who are the heart of this great city.”
Finally, Nine has also appointed a new US bureau chief in Kendall Bora.
Currently the EP of the Today Show, Bora will relocate to Los Angeles to lead the network’s US coverage.
Kendall Bora
Bora said leaving the Today Show was a decision she “agonised over”, but “the pull of a new challenge in America was too strong”.
She explained: “I’ll be working with what I consider to be the best foreign bureau in the business and am excited to play a role in shaping the network’s foreign content in one of the most dynamic political periods for the US.”
Dear added: “Kendall has had a stellar run at Today Show as EP and has spearheaded a number of transformative projects, including the streamlining of the entire Today Show team.
“With the global focus on all things America, I’m excited about what she can achieve as head of Nine’s famed US bureau.”
This comes as part of Nine Entertainment’s operating model reset, which saw the company split into three consumer-focused divisions last month: streaming and broadcast; publishing; and marketplaces.
Nine appointed Amanda Laing as managing director of the streaming and broadcast division, which brings together Stan, 9Now, broadcast TV, and radio.
Laing was recently chief commercial and content officer at Foxtel Group and MD at Binge.
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Lauren McNamara was the associate editor at Mumbrella. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS. She left Mumbrella in August 2025.
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