Wide World of Sports (Australian TV program)
| Company type | Television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports broadcasting |
| Predecessor | Sports Saturday (briefly in 1999) |
| Founded | May 23, 1981 |
| Fate | Ended in 1999; revived 2008–2016; revived again 2024–present |
| Successor | Sports Sunday (2017–2024) |
| Headquarters | Australia |
Key people | Nick McArdle (present host), Mark Taylor (contributor), Ken Sutcliffe (former host) |
| Products | Sports television programming |
| Website | wwos |
Wide World of Sports is a prominent Australian sports television series broadcast on the Nine Network.
The program is hosted by Nick McArdle and features former Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor, along with contributors such as Gus Worland, Chloe Dalton, and various guest panelists. The show initially aired from 23 May 1981 until 1999. After a nine-year break, it resumed broadcasting on 16 March 2008 and continued until 2016 following the retirement of Ken Sutcliffe. It was succeeded by Sports Sunday, which debuted on 5 March 2017, before returning as a revamped edition of Sports Sunday on 3 March 2024.
1981–1999 – Weekly broadcasts
As Nine's flagship sports brand, Wide World of Sports (WWoS) encompasses the network’s comprehensive sports coverage. This leading sports magazine program primarily aired on weekends, occupying summer daytime time slots. The debut episode was broadcast at 1:00 pm on Saturday, 23 May 1981, originally presented by Mike Gibson and Ian Chappell, later succeeded by Max Walker and Ken Sutcliffe. Ian Maurice frequently anchored the WWOS Update Desk.
In 1999, the program was briefly rebranded as Sports Saturday before concluding later that year, influenced by the growth of subscription-based sports channels in Australia, notably Fox Sports, in which Nine’s parent company held a substantial share.
Distinct from the US ABC series sharing its name, WWoS featured notable hosts such as Mike Gibson and Ian Chappell during its early years. The show also inspired cultural references, including Billy Birmingham’s 1984 comedy album that parodied cricket commentary teams affiliated with Nine. WWoS earned the Logie Award for "Most Popular Sports Program" in 1986.
Throughout the 1990s, WWoS expanded its brand into sports memorabilia marketing, offering signed bats and collectibles from the Australian Rugby League. Paul Sheahan served as host until the program’s conclusion in 1999, with Max Walker also co-hosting during this period.
2008–2020 – Revival of the program
Following a decade-long absence, Wide World of Sports returned to Nine’s lineup on 16 March 2008, preserving its original theme music and incorporating archival footage. The revived show was led by former presenter Ken Sutcliffe, joined by James Brayshaw and ex-cricketer Adam Gilchrist, with rotating co-hosts including former swimmers Giaan Rooney, Nicole Livingstone, and cricketer Michael Slater. Initially lasting 90 minutes, the broadcast was extended to two hours and scheduled for Sundays from 9am to 11am.
In 2009, co-hosts Grant Hackett and Michael Slater joined Sutcliffe and Rooney. After a cost-cutting dismissal in 2014, Emma Freedman returned to Nine's Wide World of Sports as a presenter in 2016. The weekly format ended by 2017 when it was replaced by Sports Sunday, airing Sundays at 10am.
In 2019, the program provided dedicated commentary for the Australian Open. Broadening into radio broadcasting, in 2020 Macquarie Media launched an hour-long Wide World of Sports show hosted by Mark Levy.
2024–present: The show's second revival on television
Following a seven-year break, Wide World of Sports made its comeback on Nine on 3 March 2024. The program was relaunched under a new format, evolving from Sports Sunday, with Roz Kelly taking the helm as host. The debut episode showcased notable figures such as former cricket skipper Mark Taylor, AFL icon Jimmy Bartel, and Australian Paralympic athlete Ellie Cole.
In June 2025, Kelly departed from the Nine Network to dedicate more time to her family.
Present
Former
- Ian Chappell
- Lisa Curry
- Sally Fitzgibbons
- Emma Freedman
- Ian Maurice
- Mike Gibson
- Tony Greig
- Max Walker
- Adam Gilchrist
- Giaan Rooney
- Yvonne Sampson
- Michael Slater
- Clint Stanaway
- John Steffenson
- Ken Sutcliffe
- Richie Calendar
- Roz Kelly
Awards
The show achieved the distinction of winning the Logie Award for Most Popular Sports Program in 1987 and was consistently nominated each year from 2009 through 2017.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Nine's Wide World of Sports
- 1981 Australian television series debuts
- 1999 Australian television series endings
- 2008 Australian television series debuts
- 2016 Australian television series endings
- 2024 Australian television series debuts
- Australian English-language television shows
- Australian sports television series