Nine launches Australia's first cloud-based free-to-air TV news bulletin

Nine has become the first free-to-air broadcaster in Australia to produce and broadcast a live news bulletin using cloud-based production technology, marking a key milestone in its Future News transformation program.

Wednesday's 9News Morning, anchored by Deborah Knight, was produced and aired using Saga, a cloud-based newsroom control and rundown system, and Mimir, a cloud media collaboration and asset management platform. Nine said the technology suite was developed specifically for its newsroom.

The broadcaster has been rolling out its Future News transformation since January 2025 under Executive Director of News and Current Affairs Fiona Dear. 

The program aims to modernise television news production through cloud-based workflows, automation, AI and digital publishing tools.

Nine expects the national rollout to be completed by the end of 2027. The company said Future News is the largest project under its Nine2028 transformation strategy and its biggest investment in news and current affairs in decades.

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Technology rollout begins

Nine Managing Director, Streaming and Broadcast, Amanda Laing, said the transformation would support the company's news operations across broadcast and digital platforms.

"News is our bedrock and a critical pillar of premium content for Nine.

"Audience behaviour has changed, and Australians are consuming news on platforms that best suit their needs. We can now meet them where they are faster than ever before - with important and trusted stories that matter. This is a game changer for Nine, 9News and our audiences," Ms Laing said.

Executive Director of News and Current Affairs Fiona Dear said the project represented a fundamental change to newsroom production.

"Over the past few years, 9News and Current Affairs has seen strong growth across its digital channels and Total TV audiences. Future News allows us to capitalise on this growth in a way we have been unable to previously, positioning us well for the future.

"While newsrooms have been required to adapt to new technology over the years, we have never fundamentally changed the way news is produced - and that's exactly what we've achieved. We are building a modern, multiskilled newsroom and I'm incredibly proud of the team who have trained and worked tirelessly to execute this transition in a live news environment," Ms Dear said.

Rollout continues

Nine's Video Content team also began using the new technology suite on Wednesday.

The rollout will continue with 9News Sydney's 4pm and 6pm bulletins transitioning in October, followed by the Today shows in November.