Nine News Sydney forced off air midway through due to ‘technical issues’
Sydney viewers were suddenly left watching Nine’s Melbourne bulletin.
Nine News Sydney viewers were suddenly left watching the Melbourne nightly news after technical issues forced the NSW bulletin off air.
Newsreader Peter Overton was reading the 6pm Sydney bulletin on Monday before he was interrupted.
Nine switched to broadcasting the Melbourne news to NSW viewers.
The stuff-up left many in NSW confused when Melbourne veteran newsreader Peter Hitchener appeared on their screens reading Victorian news stories.
After several minutes the Sydney bulletin returned, with sports presenter Cameron Williams on screen.
Hitchener was mid-way through a report when he was cut off. Williams sat silent for a few seconds before making a joke about the technical mishap.
“We have been experiencing some technical issues but it’s great to have you with us. Stick around, anything could happen,” he told viewers.
The hiccup is another blow for Nine Entertainment. A cyber attack in March seriously jeopardised the network’s ability to live broadcast.
But it is understood Monday night’s incident had no connection to the cyber attack.
Hitchener tweeted after the bulletin to explain his sudden presence on Sydney TV screens.
“It was because of some technical issues at Nine Sydney, which were sorted out after a few minutes,” he wrote.
During the bulletin many viewers aired their confusion online.
“Has @9NewsSyd been hacked again? Watching @9NewsMelb all of a sudden?,” wrote Michael Anderson.
A viewer named Patrick wrote: “Not that Hitchy isn’t a welcome sight but why is Sydney getting news about Melbourne on @9NewsSyd. I am learning heaps about the Melbourne Metro!”
A Nine spokeswoman confirmed the problems. “There was a slight technical issue and the 9 News Sydney broadcast was diverted to Melbourne 9 News briefly before Sydney programming resumed as normal,” she said.
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