Live broadcast set for 19 December 2026
Carols in the Domain will move to Nine from 2026, ending the Christmas event’s 38-year broadcast run with the Seven Network.
The Salvation Army’s carols event has signed a multi-year broadcast partnership with Nine. As a result, the 44th annual Carols in the Domain will air live from Sydney’s historic Domain on Saturday, 19 December 2026 across Channel 9 and 9Now.
The event has been a fixture of Australian Christmas television since 1988. Nine will become its new long-term broadcast home after nearly four decades on Seven.
Nine Head of Content, Production and Development Adrian Swift said, “Carols in the Domain is a beloved holiday tradition, and we’re thrilled to bring it to Nine.”
According to Nine and producer Active TV, the deal places the concert within Nine’s Christmas programming line-up. The companies did not disclose the value of the agreement.
Ally Langdon and James Bracey to host
A Current Affair host Ally Langdon and 9News presenter James Bracey will lead the 2026 broadcast. Both are joining the event in its first year on Nine.
Executive producer Michael McKay said Nine’s enthusiasm for the event and its focus on Christmas programming made the partnership “a natural fit”.
McKay also described the change as a significant decision after 38 years with Seven. He said the organisers had enormous respect for the history created with Seven and for the network’s contribution over almost four decades.
He said Nine’s multi-year commitment gives Carols in the Domain a platform to grow while protecting what audiences have loved about the event for more than four decades.
Langdon said the concert is one of the country’s biggest Christmas traditions and that she was excited to bring the night to viewers across Australia on Nine. Meanwhile, Bracey said the event fills the heart of Sydney with tens of thousands of people singing along with Australian performers.
The annual show remains closely tied to The Salvation Army. Organisers said Nine’s television, streaming and digital platforms are expected to help drive support for the charity during one of its busiest times of the year.
Further details, including the 2026 artist line-up, have not yet been announced. However, the key changes are already set: a new network, a live telecast on 19 December 2026, and a new hosting team for the 44th annual event in Sydney.
