Pat Conroy says NBN must remain a strong local voice

newy.com.au – Federal Member for Shortland Pat Conroy has written to Communications Minister Anika Wells seeking protections for NBN’s local news service after Nine Entertainment agreed in January to transfer NBN Television in northern NSW, including Newcastle, to WIN Network. The deal is worth $14.8 million and will keep Nine programming on air under an affiliate arrangement for at least five years.

In a 16 March letter, Mr Conroy said the sale had raised concerns in the Hunter and Central Coast, where viewers currently receive a daily hour-long bulletin with dedicated local content. He described NBN as a “valued and long treasured feature of nightly news in the Hunter region” and said any future owner should maintain the same volume and quality of local news. He also asked what “policy levers are available to ensure NBN Newcastle remains a strong local voice for the community post-sale”.

Mr Conroy said the broadcaster had spent more than 60 years telling the region’s story, pointing to coverage of the 1989 Newcastle earthquake, the 1997 grand final between Newcastle and Manly, and the grounding of the Pasha Bulker. In a video message, he said, “NBN hasn’t just told the story, they’ve been part of it.” NBN says on its website that the station began broadcasting on 4 March 1962 and that its market stretches from the Central Coast to the Gold Coast.

He also pointed to the station’s audience strength, saying in the letter that NBN News won all 40 weeks of the 2025 official ratings survey in the 6pm to 7pm slot, while the Sunday bulletin averaged more than double the audience of its nearest competitor.

Nine told investors the NBN transaction was part of a broader portfolio reshuffle that also included the sale of its radio assets and the acquisition of QMS Media, as the company sharpened its focus on metropolitan markets and digital growth. In February, Nine said it expected the NBN restructure to be completed by the end of May, subject to shareholder approval, while the January announcement said the deal also remained subject to other customary conditions, including ACCC approval.

At the time of the announcement, Nine said viewers would continue to receive its national programming alongside local news coverage, while WIN chief executive Andrew Lancaster said the company understood the importance of “strong, independent local news and a voice for regional communities”.

Newy.com.au has requested further comment from WIN at the time of this publication.