Channel Nine forced to shut down all live programming due to ‘cyber attack’ by ‘Russian hackers’  

Channel Nine was forced to cancel much of its live programming on Sunday due to an ‘unprecedented cyber attack’. 

TV Blackbox reports that the technical glitches are believed by security experts to have been orchestrated by ‘Russian hackers’ who sought to stop Monday’s episode of Under Investigation, which focuses on Vladimir Putin, from going to air.  

The website published a statement from the network, which was issued to staff at Nine, and media, confirming a cyber attack. 

In the statement, Nine representatives say they have ‘contingencies’ in place to ensure the evening’s NRL match and news bulletins will air. 

It read: ‘We wish to inform you there has been a cyber attack on our systems which has disrupted live broadcasts out of Nine Sydney (1 Denison).

‘As a result, we were unable to get Weekend Today to air this morning however, have put several contingencies in place to ensure the NRL and our 6pm bulletins will proceed.

‘Our IT teams are working around the clock to fully restore our systems which have primarily affected our Broadcast and Corporate business units. Publishing and Radio systems continue to be operational.

‘While our IT teams work through this issue, we ask that all employees, in all markets, work from home until further notice.’

Nine journalist Alicia Loxley additionally said during a news break, which aired in Melbourne today: ‘Cyber hackers have targeted Channel Nine in a massive ransomware attack bringing down its network Australia-wide. 

‘No-one has claimed responsibility for the bug but IT experts are working to bring systems back on-line.’ 

TV Blackbox has claimed that, ‘Security experts have told the network the attack is likely from Russia due to the sophistication of the hack’ and that those hackers are targeting Under Investigation. 

Monday’s episode of the current affairs series, which is hosted by Liz Hayes, seeks to ‘expose Vladimir Putin’s deadly campaign of chemical assassination, being waged against his enemies on the streets of western countries’ according to a description available online. 

However, the episode is pre-recorded and will go to air as planned on Monday night.

Nine is currently scrambling to get its live programming back on air, with the Today show and news bulletins set to go ahead. 

It comes after viewers were left baffled on Sunday morning after Channel Nine’s Weekend Today was cancelled at the last minute due to ‘technical issues’.

The popular breakfast show, hosted by Richard Wilkins and Rebecca Maddern, was supposed to air at its usual time of 7am – but was bizarrely dropped at the last second, with Nine announcing the news on social media.

‘Due to technical issues, Weekend Today is unable to air at this time. #9Today,’ Nine posted, a whole hour after the show was due to be on-screen. 

Confirming they were on-set and ready to go, Rebecca shared a picture alongside Dickie and Jayne Azzopardi captioned: ‘We’re so sorry, but we’ve had some technical issues this morning so we can’t go on air. We’re standing by if things change.’

A Channel Nine spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that technical issues were to blame, adding: ‘we will return to normal programming ASAP.’