Nine’s Mount Coot-tha TV station to be listed for sale

Nine's Mount Coot-tha TV station is set to be listed for sale after more than six decades of operation. The facility on Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, which houses the channel’s flagship nightly news program, along with extensive infrastructure, will be put up for auction by real estate firm Savills. An internal email sent to staff at Nine, which owns the masthead, stated that the company's needs have evolved significantly since the site opened in 1959. The email noted that understanding the current market value of the Mount Coot-tha site is a crucial first step in evaluating potential moves. Managing Director Kylie Blucher wrote in the email that the decision comes as Brisbane City Council develops a new master plan for Mount Coot-tha. She emphasized that exploring options for a unified future home for Nine in Queensland is part of the company’s strategic direction. “Testing the market allows us to evaluate what is possible,” she said, adding that any eventual relocation would depend on economic viability. The company is currently in the early stages of this process and has not made any final commitments. Brisbane City Council has several ongoing projects on Mount Coot-tha and has been preparing for a future where television stations may no longer occupy the area. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner commented that while parts of the mountain require improvement, there are also opportunities to enhance existing structures without affecting protected bushland. He highlighted the historical significance of the television sites and suggested they could be renovated or repurposed as technology evolves. “We’re planning ahead now so Mount Coot-tha remains a place Brisbane residents can be proud of for generations to come,” he said. Nine Entertainment operates its business across different locations in Brisbane. The Brisbane Times is based in the city center, while the radio station 4BC, which was previously part of the company, maintains its own site in Cannon Hill. In Sydney, Nine’s television and publishing operations are consolidated in a single building, and similar arrangements exist in Melbourne. This decentralized structure reflects the evolving nature of media operations, with companies increasingly consolidating their physical presence in major cities. The listing of the Mount Coot-tha site marks another shift in the company’s strategy. As digital platforms continue to reshape traditional broadcasting, media organizations are reassessing their physical footprints. For Nine, the decision to list the property aligns with broader efforts to streamline operations and adapt to changing consumer habits. The company has also been moving toward centralized hubs in key markets, such as Sydney and Melbourne, suggesting a trend toward greater operational efficiency. While the sale is still in the early stages, the move signals a potential end to the long-standing presence of Nine’s television operations in Brisbane. The outcome of the sale will likely influence future plans for the company’s regional footprint, particularly in relation to its other properties in the city. The Brisbane City Council’s master plan for Mount Coot-tha may also play a role in determining the fate of the site, should it remain available for redevelopment. The exact terms of the sale and the ultimate use of the property remain unclear at this stage.