It is still unclear whether the Tokyo Olympics, set to screen on Seven, will proceed next year. "If it goes ahead, our schedule will look one way and if it doesn't, it will look a different way," Turner says. "Having that optionality is a good thing for us."

The coronavirus pandemic was the main driver of large falls in advertising spend this year. It also forced TV broadcasters to halt productions and pull programs from air, and prompted Nine, Seven and 10 to request reductions on the amount they pay to air sport. While the market is recovering, broadcasters are looking at ways to provide more certainty to advertisers. In addition to its 2021 programming slate, Nine has announced a new data deal with Adobe and new capabilities to buy ads across the network and other divisions including publishing and radio.

New prime time series on Nine include a local adaptation of US format Celebrity IOU, in which well-known Australians arrange surprise home renovations for people who've played a pivotal role in their lives; a reality format called Beach House Escape, involving 10 contestants renovating an old seaside home; and The Parent Jury, in which participants attempt to prove the superiority of their child-rearing methods.

While the pandemic thwarted Nine's plans to launch The Parent Jury this year, the delay allowed producers to secure Jo Frost – star of the British mid-noughties reality hit Supernanny – as host in 2021. "That show was getting two million viewers in Australia [in the mid-2000s]," Turner says. "Having her come out here is a real coup."

British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar will star in The Celebrity Apprentice, which last aired on Nine in 2015; and Sophie Monk will present a revival of Beauty and the Geek, which most recently aired on Seven in 2014. It is unclear if Monk will continue hosting Love Island, which will shoot its third season on Queensland’s Gold Coast.

Kate Jenkinson stars in the new Australian drama Amazing Grace, which also features Sigrid Thornton, Catherine Van Davies, Alexandra Jensen and Kat Hoyos. The series centres on Jenkinson's character Grace, a midwife and fierce advocate for pregnant women in an unconventional birth centre attached to a major hospital.

Veteran journalist Liz Hayes will anchor Under Investigation, a current affairs series that examines a single story each week, from cold case crimes to divisive social debates. Every episode will feature a panel of experts and participation from a studio audience. Nine will also debut the factual series Mega Zoo, which spans Victoria's Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.

Returning series include Married At First Sight (with sexologist Alessandra Rampolla replacing therapist Trisha Stratford), The Block, Lego Masters, Ninja Warrior, Doctor Doctor, Travel Guides, Paramedics, Emergency, RBT, Taronga: Who's Who in the Zoo, Millionaire Hot Seat, Footy Classified, Sunday Footy Show, 60 Minutes, A Current Affair and Today.

Nine is yet to confirm the return of Halifax: Retribution, Australian Crime Stories or Talking Married, a "companion show" to Married At First Sight.

While Seven and Foxtel are at loggerheads with Cricket Australia, claiming that pandemic restrictions will diminish the quality of upcoming games, Turner is optimistic about Nine's Australian Open tennis coverage this summer. "We're working [with Tennis Australia to ensure] we get the best players in the world," he says.

In 2019, Nine ended Seven’s 12-year winning streak by reclaiming its title as Australia’s most-watched television network. So far this year, Nine is No. 1 among all viewers and the key advertising demographics of 25-54 and 16-39.

"It’s been a tough year for everyone," Turner says. "Incorporating more feel-good programming as part of our slate is absolutely a deliberate decision for us."

At a glance: Nine in 2021

NEW
Celebrity IOU
Beach House Escape
The Parent Jury
Celebrity Apprentice
Beauty and the Geek
Mega Zoo
Amazing Grace
Under Investigation

RETURNING
Married at First Sight
The Block
Ninja Warrior
Lego Masters
Love Island
Travel Guides
Doctor Doctor
Paramedics
Emergency
RBT
Targonga: Who’s Who in the Zoo
Millionaire Hot Seat
60 Minutes
A Current Affair
Today
Footy Classified
Sunday Footy Show
100% Footy
Sports Sunday
Carols By Candlelight
ARIA Awards
TV Week Logie Awards

TO BE CONFIRMED
Halifax: Retribution
Australian Crime Stories
Talking Married

SPORT
Tennis: Australian Open, ATP Cup, Adelaide International
NRL and NRL State of Origin
Suncorp Super Netball
US Masters Golf