Cyber attack forces Nine programs off air

Channel Nine was targeted by hackers on Sunday which prevented programs from going to air from its Sydney headquarters.

Richard Wilkins (right) took to social media during the cyber attack on Nine which prevented programs from going to air. Picture by Damian Shaw

Channel 9 has confirmed it was the subject of a cyber attack which prevented programs from going to air on Sunday.

The station said hackers had disrupted its Sydney television operations on Sunday with the Weekend Today and Sunday Footy Show programs unable to go to air.

“Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our broadcast and corporate business units,” Nine said in a statement.

“Publishing and radio systems continue to be operational.”

An artist’s interpretations of Nine’s North Sydney headquarters, which were on Sunday the subject of a cyber attack.

Nine was forced to run prerecorded programming due to the problem.

Bewildered on-air talent took to social media when they were unable to go to air.

What’s happening? Well not much right now! Tech issues ⁦@Channel9⁩ this morning... pic.twitter.com/yvHBbxdbGC

— Richard Wilkins (@RichardWilkins) March 27, 2021

The channel’s Sunday afternoon NRL broadcast and 6pm evening news bulletins did however proceed as planned

The company has asked that all its employees work from home until IT staff could resolve the problems.

“Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our broadcast and corporate business units,” the company said.

But it said the attack had not affected its newspaper and radio operations, including the Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Financial Review and 2GB.