Fire whirls, acrobats and Delta Goodrem: Inside Channel Nine’s VERY extravagant Christmas party at an exclusive nightclub – while struggling Network 10 is forced to DOWN its shindig altogether
- Channel Nine threw a lavish Christmas party for its staff at the Sydney Club
- Includes DJ, acrobats, fireworks and performance by pop star Delta Goodrem
- Meanwhile, the ailing Network Ten has canceled its celebratory staff shindig
- A distraught TV insider said things were “worse than thought” on the network.
Some of Australia’s biggest media personalities let their hair down at Channel Nine’s lavish Christmas party in Sydney, which featured a pop star, fireworks and acrobats hanging from the ceiling.
But it’s a very different story across town as Channel 10 cancels its celebratory hoopla after a disastrous year of poor ratings, canceled shows and high-profile retirements.
Nine Entertainment spared no expense for its staff Christmas party, held at Sydney’s Ivy nightclub on Wednesday night – with many revelers calling the lavish party the company’s best ever.
Acrobats swung from the ceiling, pop star Delta Goodrem performed and The Block host Scott Cam danced with hundreds of employees from the television network, its newspaper department and Radio 2GB.
Meanwhile, a Channel 10 insider said things were “worse than expected” and staff were devastated when owner Paramount announced at the last minute there would be no bank holiday celebrations.
Swirls of fire wowed revelers at Channel Nine’s staff Christmas party at Sydney’s Ivy nightclub on Wednesday night – hailed by staff as the media giant’s best party ever
Nine TV reporter Kate Creedon dances downstairs with a glass of wine as the festivities gathered momentum last night
Footage from Nine’s wild party in Sydney shows a packed dance floor with partygoers sipping champagne and dancing to Shania Twain hits.
“This is how Nine celebrate,” commented news reporter Sophie Walsh on a video showing a raging dance floor.
Fellow Jessica Ridley – who recently left Channel Seven – added: “Okay, you win Channel Nine. Nobody tops this Chrissy party.”
2GB channel Ben Fordham executive producer James Willis also shared footage of the celebrations. “Great Christmas party,” he wrote.
Other revelers shared selfies with Goodrem, who turned out to be a huge hit.
Several large companies are throwing their first festive parties in three years after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Delta Goodrem headlined the lavish party at Justin Hemmes’ Ivy nightclub
Channel Nine staff took to the Ivy dance floor to dance the night away
Channel Nine’s stars gave a glimpse of Wednesday night’s wild celebrations. Above, Hannah Sinclair from A Current Affair enjoys herself
Nine previously hosted its Christmas parties at its former headquarters in Willoughby – but this year it was headed to Sydney’s CBD
Many party-goers enjoyed a selfie with pop star Delta Goodrem (left)
The Block’s Scott Cam (left) also enjoyed the Channel Nine showdown at the Ivy
Wednesday night’s celebration at the Ivy was the first year-end party for Nine since the network left its Willoughby television studios in 2020, which also served as the annual party venue.
Some contestants likely played well into the wee hours after the Socceroos cemented their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
Many Channel 10 staff would have been in bed by now.
Insiders claim the network lacks “direction and morale,” while dejected staff at the embattled network complain it feels like “a sinking ship” with more high-profile names following Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson out the door.
“Management said there was nothing to celebrate for Ten,” a Ten source said.
“Everybody’s pissed off because they just wanted to let their hair dangle.
Channel Ten has told staff that “there is nothing to celebrate,” an insider said. Pictured: Carrie Bickmore and Lisa Wilkinson, both of whom have left the network
“It’s not the staff’s fault that people don’t care about these shows anymore and people don’t tune in.”
It was also a year of non-starters for Channel 10, including 10 News First: Breakfast, which recently set a new record for the worst-rated show in Australian television history.
Once crowd favorites The Project, MasterChef and The Amazing Race Australia also underperformed for the network.
Channel 10 has been forced to put its latest reality series, The Challenge, on the least viewed Multichannel 10 Shake as the dud reality series continues its ratings decline.
Chron Australia contacted Channel 10 for comment.