Nine Network Productions

Background

Nine Network Productions is the in-house production company of the Nine Network - an Australian television network launched on September 16, 1956.

1st Logo (1963-1970)

Logo: In the credits of the show, we see an outline drawing of Australia with the words "National Television Network" in the middle.

Variant:

From 1967-68, the logo reads "National Nine Network".
From 1968-70, the text was redone. It was stacked so that the three "N"s were on top of each other.
Sometimes, the logo lacks the map, leaving only the text.

Technique: None.

Music/Sounds: The end theme of the show.

Availability: Extinct on television.

The 1967-68 variant can be seen on the episodes of Brian Henderson's Bandstand available on Amazon Prime in Australia.
Episodes of Bandstand featuring all variants can also be found on the Internet Archive.
This logo also appears on early episodes of Division 4 as well.

2nd Logo (1970-1997)

Logo: We see the Nine logo in the show's credits. The accompanying text and style of the logo changed over the years:

1970: The words "National and "Network" above and below respectively in either a blocky futuristic font similar to the one used in the first Wide World of Sports intro used by the network or a curvy, psychedelic font.
1970-1975, 1981-1984: No text.
1975-1981: "Living Color", below the logo in the same style as the 1975 idents.
1984-1986: The dots appear either side of the 9 numeral and the word "Stereovision" is below below. This was to promote Nine's commencement of transmission with stereo sound.
1987-1996: The logo is smaller and "Nine Network Australia" appears below.

Variants:

From the early '90s, the logo would sometimes be seen on a black-blue gradient background.
On 1990s Sale of the Century episodes, after the 1988 Grundy logo has finished animating, it will zoom out and fade into one of the dots in the Nine logo as it zooms into place.
Some programs would have a copyright notice accompanying the logo.
Regional versions of the logo exist.

Technique: None

Music/Sounds: Just the credits of the show.

Availability: Uncommon.

It can be seen on uploads of old Nine shows on the internet as well as Nine's own streaming service, 9Now.
This will typically be preserved on the rare occasion that anything from this era is rerun.

3rd Logo (1996-February 1998)

Logo: On a black background, we see a figure of nine dots together in a 3x3 cube, which slowly pans into full view. It becomes lit in the process and becomes gold with pink edge. The streaks draw a name below: "NINE NETWORK" with "AUSTRALIA" on second line, in a Century Gothic font.

Trivia: This logo is based on the onscreen IDs Channel 9 used from 1994 to 1997.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: A 2-note electronic tune with a whoosh sound.

Availability: Very rare. Seen on the second season of and the first two episodes of the third season of Water Rats and One Way Ticket.

4th Logo (February 1998-31 December 2000, 3 August 2005)

Logo: On a black background, we see nine dots together in a 3x3 cube which rotate and face us. Next to it is the number nine in orange which is also formed by rotating. Underneath we see the words "NINE NETWORK Australia" in a font similar to their then-current ident, which started out stretched by coming together to become normal. In the middle of the screen is the URL ninemsn.com.au which fades in below. This is the joint website for Channel Nine and MSN Australia.

Trivia: This logo reflects the onscreen IDs Channel Nine had in 1997.

Variants:

In 1999 the logo was enhanced to represent the new on-screen IDs. The Nine logo is now in gold.
Also in 1999, a variant was used after a broadcast of a Bee Gees concert. The nine balls are now disco balls and zoom out from the screen with the number nine already there. When the text transitions in, the disco balls return to normal. The URL is not present.
A UFO-themed variant exists.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: Same as before.

Music/Sounds Variants:

On the disco version we hear whooshing sounds when the disco balls fly past us.
On the Australian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the "think" cue used for the $2,000 question is heard (though the 1997 Grundy logo before that uses its own music).
On the Hi-5 DVD "Snow Party", it's silent.

Availability: Very rare.

Popped up on videos or DVD of shows from that era; otherwise if you live in Australia, check those tapes.
It appeared on Farscape (first season), Water Rats (third and fourth seasons) and Hi-5 DVD releases.
It also makes a strange appearance on the Hi-5 DVD "Snow Party" released in 2005, possibly due to not having the original 2001 master.

5th Logo (1 January 2001-10 March 2003)

Logo: On a black background, we see lots of dots expanding and contracting. Nine dots appear rapidly one by one, followed by the number 9. At the same time the following text fades in below:

Nine Network Australia

ninemsn.com.au

Trivia: This is directly based on Channel Nine's on-screen IDs between 2001-2002.

Variants:

Sometimes the URL might be modified to provide a specific web address for the show that was shown.
On some shows, such as the Australian version of Pass the Buck, the copyright date appears below the URL.
On This is Your Life, the show logo appears between the 9 logo and the URL.
On films, the logo animates differently and the text reads "NINE FILMS & TELEVISION".

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: Sci-fi sounds for the dots appearing (which are the same sounds heard during the Channel Nine idents), then a space-age rendition of the long-running "Still The One" jingle (which is four notes descending in tune).

Availability: Ultra rare.

This might appear on VHS or DVD releases of Channel Nine shows of this era but is usually plastered/cut out on current airings; otherwise if you live in Australia, check those tapes.
It was seen on the first and second seasons of McLeod's Daughters as well as home video release as well as Channel 5 "Milkshake!" airings of Hi-5 episodes from the era.
Despite having ended use in 2002, after the "3-D Nine" logo was introduced, this logo was still used on Farscape episodes up until the show's ended on March 10, 2003 (although it does not appear on UK airings of the said show).
The film version was seen on Dirty Deeds.

6th Logo (2002-2006)

Logo: We start in the middle of a CGI Channel Nine logo and zoom backwards and turn right onto a blue gradient background. The text fades in below.

NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA

ninemsn.com.au

Variants:

Once again, the URL is sometimes changed to provide a specific web address for a show.
Late in the logo's life the name was referred to as "Nine Films & Television".
On 2003-2005 episodes of Hi-5, there’s a typo error where the URL says "ninemsm.com.au/kids/hi5".
Sometimes, the copyright stamp is absent.
On Channel 5 "Milkshake!" airings of some episodes of Hi-5, there's a still version. Most episodes have the normal version instead.
On Pete and Dud: The Lost Tapes, the logo is cropped to a square box and positioned on the left side of the screen.
On This is Your Life, the show's logo appears below the logo.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: A synthesised whooshing sound accompanied by a fast descending note tune on a bright piano. This is followed by a news-style remix of the four-note "Still the One" theme, culminating in an electric guitar tune.

Music/Sounds Variants:

On Wonderful week on Hi-5, the closing theme plays over the logo.
On Channel 5 "Milkshake!" airings of some episodes of Hi-5, it's silent.

Availability: Rare.

Although this logo was on all Channel Nine shows (like The Eggs, and Hi-5), any repeats of these shows have this logo plastered over to the current logo of the time.
It also appeared as a distributor logo on a DVD of the Australian mini-series We of The Never Never.
It also appears on some Hi-5 DVD releases as well.

7th Logo (2006-2007)

Logo: On a black background, several blue squares quick move away while the one blue gradient square appears on the centre with the number "9" is seen. The text "NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA" appear below, along with a copyright notice and URL. The square shines.

Variant:

A still version exists where the square is larger, and the only movement is the logo shining.
Sometimes, the logo is on the bottom of the screen.
On Dancing on Ice, the Nine logo is frozen.
Sometimes, the text reads "NINE FILMS & TELEVISION".

Technique: Computer animation.

Music/Sounds: A wiggling electronic soundtrack based on Nine Network's idents at the time. Sometimes silent or having a spacey "whoosh" sound.

Availability:

The still version was seen on McLeod's Daughters season six (later episodes) and seven (earlier episodes).
The Nine Films and Television variant can be seen on Hi-5 DVDs from 2006-2007, but the original variant is mostly extinct.

8th Logo (2007-31 January 2009)

Logo: On a black, background, we see the then-current Nine Network logo, but in 2D this time. Then several orange squares appear on the left forming an orange bar and a grey gradient background quickly fades-in. Then, the black bar with an orange line above slides in from the left. It has the Nine MSN URL on it. At the same time, the text "NINE NETWORK" (on the left of the Nine logo) and "PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN" (above the black bar), both of which are set in Trajan Pro font, fade in. Afterwards, several white squares appear randomly.

Trivia: This is directly based on Channel Nine's new look IDs. These were a colossal failure as Channel Nine lost further ground on rival Channel Seven. The branding was also criticised for not having the iconic nine dots.

Variants:

There was a version which was superimposed on such shows as A Current Affair, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Australia's Funniest Home Videos. The grey background was replaced by the continuation of the closing shot of the show. The rest of the logo remained unchanged.
As with the previous logo's, the URL was modified to provide a more specific web address to a particular show.
Another version starts when the orange bar and the Nine logo is formed. Some orange squares disappear and reappear quickly, like a glitch. Then a white square appears at the top right of the Nine logo with a long white bar at the bottom. The white bar disappears as it cuts to the grey background.
Also, there is yet another version that when it fades in, the logo is fully formed.

Technique: Computer animation.

Music/Sounds: A shortened version of their regular ID music which sounds electronic. Beeping sounds accompany the white squares when they appear on screen.

Availability: Extremely rare.

It can be found on DVD releases of season 1 of Sea Patrol and the last 2 seasons of McLeod's Daughters.
The logo also appeared on original broadcasts of season 9 of Hi-5 and the Team Hi-5 DVD.
The logo also appeared with Quizmania.
The logo was last seen on TVS repeats of the 2007 revival of Here's Humphrey in 2013.

Legacy: With a logo this bland, it's little wonder that it was quickly retired in favour of bringing back the dots starting with the next logo.

9th Logo (2008-2009)

Logo: The background is a blue sunny sky with very few clouds and clear dots in the sky. We see nine dots flying in the sky which come together to form the familiar nine dots of the Channel Nine logo. The number nine appears from behind the dots. We see the text below:

Proudly Australian

NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA

ninemsn.com.au

Sometimes, a copyright stamp is used, making the text read as:

Proudly Australian

NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA

Variant: There is a superimposed version of this logo used on shows such as A Current Affair and Australia's Funniest Home Videos.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: James McColl singing "You better smile..." (adapted from the 1997 song "Smile" by The Supernaturals; said song was used in Nine Network's 2008 "We Heart TV" campaign, with rewritten lyrics), followed by a female voiceover saying "Channel Nine" (this woman's voice was featured in promos for many Channel Nine shows).

Availability: Rare. This logo is usually updated with a newer logo. Was last seen on Lab Rats Challenge on Cartoon Network Australia and on The Strip.

10th Logo (2009)

Logo: On a green gradient background, we see nine differently coloured dots which form an updated version of the iconic nine dots logo. A white vertical line grows and then produces the number nine on the left side and text on the right side. The text is in exactly the same arrangement as the previous logo. All of the logo happens on a lime green background. This is directly based on the IDs at the time.

Variants:

This logo sometimes appeared on a black gradient background.
As before, there is a superimposed variation of this logo.
A still version exists.

Technique: Computer animation.

Music/Sounds: A calming 2-note guitar riff (with an echoed whispering voice saying "Smile...") based on the music of the idents at the time.

Availability: Rare.

This logo was only used for a couple of months and is replaced by the next logo on all reruns.
It also once showed up on Dennis & Gnasher on Hub Network in the United States.

Legacy: Given its short lifespan, this package may well have been a placeholder for the "Welcome Home" branding introduced later that year.

11th Logo (2009-15 April 2012)

Logo: On a blue and white, space-age background, we see blue mist appear on the screen. It reveals the Channel Nine logo. On most occasions text faded in on the bottom of the screen which has:

Proudly Australian

This directly reflected the then-current Channel Nine IDs.

Variants:

There is a version that is seen on some shows such as the Australian version of Pyramid that omit the text.
There is a superimposed version of this logo.
As the annual Credit Union Christmas Pageant was produced by Channel Nine's Adelaide unit, the text is changed to say "PROUDLY SOUTH AUSTRALIAN" (as this is the Australian state that Adelaide is located in). Underneath is the copyright stamp which reads "(C) (Year) WIN and SA Tourism Commission". On the bottom of the copyright stamp is the byline "a division of WIN Corporation" (as the Nine stations in Adelaide and Perth were owned by then-Nine affiliate WIN Television).

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: An electronic, space-age six note tune (similar to the 2006 logo). Sometimes, the last note is cut off on Hi-5.

Music/Sounds Variant: On the Channel Nine Adelaide variant, the closing theme is heard along with a male voiceover who says: "This special television event was brought to you by Channel Nine Adelaide, your pageant station."

Availability: Seen on most Channel Nine produced shows of the period especially Hi-5. Is not seen on some outside productions like The Block or Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

12th Logo (15 April 2012-Late 2015)

Logo: On a background (colour variations listed below) we see, all at once, the Channel Nine logo being filled with colour, a streak zooms in the bottom left corner and the phrase and copyright stamp from the previous logo fade in. All heavily based on the 2012 ident package.

Variants: The actual production logo has only been spotted on a few shows and hence in four colours, but in-credit logos and Channel Nine's own idents have these colour variations.

Green
Blue
Purple
Yellow
Red

Technique: Computer animation.

Music/Sounds: A quick woosh following by a short "wind chime" noise or the closing theme.

Availability: Uncommon.

Channel 9 unveiled new idents before the premiere episode of The Voice Australia.
Shows which did have the Nine Network Productions logo (such as Pyramid and Kitchen Whiz) now have the Nine Network logo cut out.
Channel Nine still immediately kept an in-program logo credit for live studio shows such as Today and A Current Affair as well as the game show Hot Seat.
However, a proper production logo has been spotted on a Nine News special entitled Melbourne Zoo Celebrates 150 Years and the second season of Dennis & Gnasher when aired on CBBC.

13th Logo (Late 2015-2020)

Logo: On the show's ending background, the watermark fills with a certain colour (the dots fly in, but not on WIN Television as the dots aren't in the logo) as a rectangle, which has a darker version of the same colour as the logo, with a ribbon in it (like the 2012 branding) appears. Inside the rectangle, we see "NINE NETWORK PRODUCTION" in white. Above it is another rectangle, in the same colour as the logo, reading "PROUDLY AUSTRALIAN". A copyright stamp is seen below, in another rectangle.

Variant: Like the previous logo, the colours may vary depending on the show. For example, on A Current Affair, the colour is red. on Today, the colour is orange, etc.

Technique: CGI animation.

Music/Sounds: The closing music of the program.

Availability: Seen on newer episodes of current Nine shows such as A Current Affair and Today.

14th Logo (December 2020-)

Logo: Over either the final shots of the program or a custom end card for the show, the 9 dots fly into place, while the numeral 9 wipes in from top to bottom in the appropriate colour for the program (e.g. yellow for Today, red for A Current Affair and 60 Minutes, etc.) with the worlds "A Nine Production" at the bottom in the network's standard font. Below that a copyright notice appears in the same colour as the Nine logo.

Technique: Computer animation.

Music/Sounds: Just the end theme of the show.

Availability: Current. Seen on all Nine productions since the 2020 Christmas special Christmas with Delta.