NBN Television
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- For other uses: see NBN (disambiguation)
| NBN Television (Nine Network) | ||
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| Missing image NBN_Current_Logo.jpg Image:NBN_Current_Logo.jpg | ||
| Slogan: "Still The One", "We Care", "Delivering More", "We're with you" | ||
| Newcastle, New South Wales | ||
| Newcastle analog frequency and relays | NBN-3, broadcasting at 200KW, and 49 analog relays | |
| Newcastle digital frequency and relays | NBN-36, broadcasting at 500KW, and 7 digital relays | |
| Originating transmitter | Mount Sugarloaf, Newcastle | |
| Owner | SP Telemedia | |
| Founded | 1962 | |
| Joined the Nine Network | 31st December 1991 | |
| Submarkets | Newcastle and the Hunter Region, Central Coast, North West/New England, Northern Rivers, Far North Coast, Gold Coast | |
| Callsign Meaning | Newcastle Broadcasting Network OR Newcastle Broadcasting, New South Wales | |
| Nine Network Australia | ||
| TCN-9 (Sydney) | GTV-9 (Melbourne) | NWS-9 (Adelaide) |
| STW-9 (Perth) | NTD-8 (Darwin) | QTQ-9 (Brisbane) |
| WIN (based in Wollongong) | Imparja (remote and central Australia, based in Alice Springs) | Prime TV NZ (New Zealand affilate) |
NBN Television is an Australian commercial television broadcasting company, broadcasting from its main studios in Newcastle, transmitting to the northern half of New South Wales (Including the Central Coast, Newcastle and The Gold Coast).
The station is a Nine Network affilate, owned by SP Telemedia, a subsidary of Washington H. Soul Pattinson.
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Station History
The Newcastle Broadcasting and Television Corporation began broadcasting on channel 3 on 4 March 1962. Coverage extended from Bungwahl to Broken Bay and as far West as Aberdeen. It operated from 3 PM to 10.30 PM on weekdays and Saturday, and from 1 PM to 11.30 PM on Sundays.
In 1972, NBN was granted a license to operate a translator in the Upper Hunter from Rossgole Lookout near Aberdeen, on channel 10. Further transmitters were installed at Banderra Downs, Merriwa (also on channel 10) and at Mount Helen, Murrurundi (on channel 1).
NBN began its long running newshour in March 1974, becoming the first television station in Australia to have a one hour news bulletin. The bulletin is still produced today, and is the only hour-long bulletin on regional television. In 1975, the station began to broadcast in colour.
The station's name was formally changed to NBN Television on 1 October 1979, having been previously known as Channel 3 (or sometimes NBN Channel 3). Also at that time, the company's name was changed to NBN Limited.
Following aggregation on 31 December 1991, the station's coverage expanded to cover all of northern New South Wales, beginning broadcasting 24 hours a day, and in stereo.
In 1992, NBN became an affiliate of Nine Network, and in 1994, the station's logo was changed to reflect that fact.
NBN has long been a supporter of many local events and groups in the area. They have been more noticeable through their sponsorship of the Newcastle Knights rugby league team, their logo has on their uniform for all bar one of the past few years. Other teams to receive their support are the Hunter Pirates NBL basketball team (and their precedesor, the Newcastle Falcons) and the Newcastle United soccer team (as well as their various reincarnations, such as the Newcastle Breakers).
In 2004, NBN Television's owner, Washington H. Soul Pattinson began moves to transfer control of the station to its publicy-listed subsidary, Soul Pattinson Telecommunications, which became SP Telemedia as a result.
News
NBN has a repuatation for news, especially local news. Its 6pm news bulletin is the top-rating local news bulletin in Australia, especially in its home area of Newcastle.
The newshour is a combination of local news, as well as news sourced from the Nine Network, and its international affilates, namely CBS, ABC and ITN.
The usual presenting team is Ray Dinneen and Melinda Smith, with Mike Rabbitt on sports and Garry Youngberry presenting weather. The weekend presenter is John Church, and regular fill-in presenters include Paul Lobb and Jim Callinan. Paul "The Chief" Harragon also presents a rugby league report on the station during the NRL season.
Previously, NBN had its own late night bulletin, but that was replaced by the Nine Network's Nightline program. NBN also broadcasts National Nine News's 4.30pm bulletin, with a intro presented from Newcastle before the bulletin, and NBN's own weather and news recap replacing the final segment of the program. This is presented either by Ray Dinneen or Melinda Smith. NBN doesn't broadcast the network's 11.00am bulletin; instead infomericals or their own "Today Extra" program airs in its place.
Previous NBN Presenters
Other well-known personalities to have worked for the station include:
- Chris Bath (newsreader, now at Channel 7)
- Matthew White (sports presenter, also formerly of Channel 10, now at Channel 7)
- Anna Coren (North Coast news reporter, also formerly of Prime Television and Channel 9, now at Channel 7)
- Helen Kapalos (reporter, now at Channel 9)
- Vanessa Trezise (reporter, formerly of Prime Television, now at Sky News Australia)
- Antonia Kidman (reporter, formerly at Channel 10, now presenting on Foxtel; is also Nicole Kidman's sister)
- Darrell Eastlake (sports presenter/reporter, now at Channel 9)
- John Fordham (sports presenter/reporter, now at Channel 7)
- Johnathon Uptin (sports presenter/reporter, now at Channel 9 Darwin)
Locally-known personalities include:
- Murray Finlay (news presenter, also presented Prime News in Tamworth and Newcastle, now retired)
- Nat Jeffery (weather presenter, now presenting Today Extra)
Call Letters Meaning
NBN stands for Newcastle Broadcasting, New South Wales. It can stand for Newcastle Broadcasting Network.
External links
- NBN Television (http://www.nbntv.com.au/)
- NBN-3 Online (http://www.djpalmer.com/nbn3online)
Notes
Transmitters: current as of 28th September 2004. Please visit Digital Broadcasting Australia (http://www.dba.org.au/) and the Australian Broadcasting Authority (http://www.aba.gov.au/) to find out if more relays have been installed.