RADIO BROADCASTING – AUSTRALIA

Wheatley’s new radio wagers on TopBetta

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Original article by Sarah-Jane Tasker
The Australian – Page: 16 : 4-Jan-16

EON Sports Radio CEO Glenn Wheatley says the new national sports radio network has secured TopBetta as its exclusive wagering partner. The Australian-listed TopBetta specialises in fantasy wagering, while it also produces sports content. TopBetta and EON will jointly produce a sports program for the digital-only radio network. EON has also secured the Australian radio broadcasting rights to English Premier League matches.

CORPORATES
EON SPORTS RADIO PTY LTD, TOPBETTA HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TBH, ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE, EON-FM, TRIPLE M CORPORATION PTY LTD, SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, NEWS CORPORATION – ASX NWS, G1X

Southern Cross, Nine in $2.2bn merger talks

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Original article by Christine Lacy, Damon Kitney, Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 19 : 13-Nov-15

Nine Entertainment Company has held merger discussions with regional broadcaster Southern Cross Media Group, and sources have suggested that there is an even chance of a deal proceeding. The "reach rule" would prohibit a full merger at present, but the deal being discussed is said to involve Nine acquiring Southern Cross’ radio stations immediately. Nine would subsequently buy Southern Cross’s TV stations if and when cross-media ownership rules are relaxed.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, SOUTHERN CROSS AUSTEREO PTY LTD, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, MI9, NINEMSN PTY LTD, 2DAY FM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, TRIPLE M CORPORATION PTY LTD, THE HIT NETWORK, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS, CVC ASIA PACIFIC (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD, APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENT LLC, OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC, MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED – ASX MQG, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, LUMINIS PARTNERS PTY LTD

Cutting costs will ‘only go so far’

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Original article by Max Mason
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 12-Oct-15

Southern Cross Media CEO Grant Blackley says it is important for media companies to invest in on-air talent, as well as marketing and promotion. He has defended the group’s move to recruit Rove McManus to host 2Day FM’s breakfast program, arguing that increased ratings result in higher advertising revenue. Blackley adds that cost cuts are only a short-term solution for media companies.

CORPORATES
SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, 2DAY FM AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

Turnbull looks at licence fee cuts

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Original article by Darren Davidson
The Australian – Page: 26 : 27-Jul-15

Australia’s commercial TV networks have received some support from Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull for their push to have broadcasting licence fees reduced. It is believed that Free TV Australia will be invited to press its case for a licence fee reduction to key policymakers, while Commercial Radio Australia will push for a reduction in radio broadcasting licence fees. However, Turnbull seems unlikely to pursue changes to anti-siphoning laws for broadcasting sporting events.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF COMMUNICATIONS, FREE TV AUSTRALIA LIMITED, COMMERCIAL RADIO AUSTRALIA LIMITED, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, NETFLIX INCORPORATED, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE TREASURY

Blackley back on board for SCM M&A bonanza

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Original article by Dominic White
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 35 : 1-Jun-15

Southern Cross Media Group chairman Peter Bush expects mergers in Australia’s media sector if cross-media ownership laws are changed. He says the industry expertise of new CEO Grant Blackley will be an asset when dealing with the new media landscape. Bush adds that one of Blackley’s key tasks will be to assess the group’s "peak value". Blackley is a former CEO of the Ten Network.

CORPORATES
SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX TEN, FREE TV AUSTRALIA LIMITED, KEYSTONE GROUP PTY LTD

Fairfax unveils buyback surprise

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Original article by Max Mason, Dominic White
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 18 : 20-Feb-15

Australian-listed Fairfax Media has reported a 2014-15 interim underlying net profit of $A86m, which is 0.6 per cent lower than previously. Revenue from operations fell by 12.9 per cent to $A943.3m, while the media group will undertake an on-market share buyback over the next 12 months. It plans to repurchase up to 121 million shares, which equates to five per cent of the stock on issue

CORPORATES
FAIRFAX MEDIA LIMITED – ASX FXJ, DOMAIN.COM.AU, CITIGROUP PTY LTD