Nine has launched a new longform current affairs and investigations unit, aimed at bolstering its storytelling capabilities through in-depth journalism. Kirsty Thomson will lead the unit as Head, while continuing her role as Executive Producer of 60 Minutes.

The initiative follows a successful trial period under Thomson's leadership, during which the unit produced 'The Brief', a digital-first brand consisting of 20 episodes that covered significant global and domestic stories. Additionally, the unit has created ten one-hour documentaries and collaborated on four projects with Stan, The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Age.

The Longform Current Affairs and Investigations Unit is part of Nine's broader News Transformation project, which includes efforts to make historical footage more accessible. The unit will leverage Nine's scale and diversity, drawing on ideas and content from journalists across 9News and Nine's publishing mastheads.

Nine's Director of News and Current Affairs, Fiona Dear, stated, "This strategic investment in our news teams underscores our unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence and builds upon our clear strength in longer-form, more in-depth stories...Under Kirsty's leadership, this unit is poised to deliver impactful content that informs, engages and sets the agenda."

Thomson expressed her enthusiasm for leading the new unit, highlighting the opportunity to delve deeper into compelling narratives and uncover new perspectives.

"I'm incredibly excited to lead this new unit and build on the fantastic momentum we've already established. The opportunity to delve deeper into compelling narratives, uncover new perspectives, and collaborate with Nine's exceptional talent nationwide is immense. We're passionate about pushing creative boundaries and delivering high-quality, longform journalism that captures the stories shaping Australia and the world. This unit is about empowering our journalists and production teams to pursue those stories that demand more time and a different lens, ensuring we can bring the full picture to our audience," she said.

Dear also commented on the potential for expansion and ownership in the news longform space, citing the skill set of Nine's producers, camera operators, and editors. "With the incredible skill set of our producers, camera operators, editors, and our proximity to the greatest news brands in the world, I believe the possibilities for expansion and ownership of the news longform space are enormous," she stated.