Amanda Laing out at Nine after 18 months

Amanda Laing has left Nine Entertainment after 18 months leading its streaming and broadcast division, according to reports in The Daily Telegraph and The Australian Financial Review. Her departure comes a week after Nine presented its 2027 television and streaming plans to advertisers.

Chief executive Matt Stanton will oversee the division directly for now, with Laing available for a handover until the end of September.

The decision comes a week after Nine presented its 2027 plans for Channel 9, 9Now and Stan to advertisers. Laing had led the combined division for 18 months.

In a message to staff sighted by Mediaweek, Stanton said Nine was making structural changes as competition intensified.

“Our industry is changing at pace, and we are operating in an increasingly competitive market. As a result, I will be making some structural changes. The Managing Director of Streaming and Broadcast role held by Amanda will not exist in its current form, and accordingly, Amanda will sadly be departing the business,” he wrote.

“For now, I will be working with the Streaming and Broadcast leadership team directly and overseeing the leadership of this division. Amanda has agreed to remain available for a handover period to the end of the month.”

READ MORE: Nine 2027 Upfront: Network consolidates TV, streaming and outdoor into one commercial offering

READ MORE: 'Compelling and amazing': Media buyers give their verdict on Nine's Upfronts 2027

Strategy team moves to group level

Nine will move its dedicated streaming and broadcast strategy team into the group strategy function, led by David Ash. Stanton said the change would align the division with Nine’s wider strategy and five-year plan.

The move gives Stanton direct oversight of the television and streaming businesses as Nine works through its new leadership structure. He told staff it was “business as usual” for the division.

Laing returned to Nine in 2025 to lead a newly combined operation covering Channel 9, 9Now, Stan and radio. Stanton credited her with developing a content strategy that grew audiences and subscriptions, extending free-to-air formats onto Stan, and securing sports rights including rugby league, the Premier League, netball and the National Basketball League.

“The Channel 9, 9Now and Stan teams truly are the best in the business, and I thank them for their tireless efforts over the past 18 months. Together we grew audiences and subscribers across every platform, delivered first-of-their-kind initiatives, and transformed a division that didn't exist two years ago. I leave Nine with immense pride in the team I have had the privilege to lead and everything we have achieved together. I'll forever be a champion of their work,” Laing said.

Her departure removes the executive appointed to bring Nine’s broadcast and streaming services together just as the company begins selling its 2027 slate. Stanton has set out who will oversee the division in the immediate term; Nine has not announced what permanent leadership structure will replace Laing’s role.