RADIO STATIONS – AUSTRALIA

No third parties emerge to foil Southern Cross-Seven takeover

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Original article by Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian Financial Review – Page: Online : 5-Nov-25

An independent report from risk advisory firm Kroll has concluded that the proposed merger with Seven West Media is in the best interests of Southern Cross Media Group’s shareholders. Kroll found that it is a good deal for the radio station group’s investors, given that the company will contribute 47.3 per cent of the "relative underlying value" and have a 50.1 per cent stake in the merged entity. Southern Cross chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise has defended the proposed merger, noting that the traditional media landscape is facing a number of challenges. He has also confirmed that Southern Cross has not been approached by any other potential suitors.

CORPORATES
SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, KROLL

Media merger to counter big tech

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Original article by James Madden
The Australian – Page: 13 & 19 : 1-Oct-25

The proposed merger between Seven West Media and Southern Cross Media Group is forecast to generate annual pre-tax cost synergies of up to $30m. The merger will combine Seven’s linear TV and digital broadcast platforms with Southern Cross’s radio stations; Seven also owns print and digital newspapers. Seven West’s shareholders are expected to vote on the deal later this year or in early 2026; if approved, Southern Cross will emerge with a 50.1 per cent stake in the combined entity. Seven’s CEO Jeff Howard will take on the role in the merged group, while Seven chairman Kerry Stokes will step down in favour of Southern Cross counterpart Heith Mackay-Cruise. Southern Cross CEO John Kelly has indicated that he has also held merger talks with Nine Entertainment in recent months.

CORPORATES
SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL

Nine’s publishing to out-earn TV

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Original article by Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 & 17 : 6-Aug-25

Jarden analyst Tom Beadle recently said that the value contained within Nine Entertainment’s publishing business could potentially be the most underappreciated part of the media group. The investment bank has valued Nine’s publishing assets at $885m, ahead of streaming video platform Stan ($655m) and the broadcast division ($601m); Jarden estimates that Nine’s radio stations are worth about $25m. Looking forward, Nine’s publishing assets are forecast to generate EBITDA of $156m by 2028; this compares with expectations of $153m for the group’s television network, which is facing higher costs.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, STAN ENTERTAINMENT PTY LTD, NINE NETWORK AUSTRALIA LIMITED, NINE RADIO PTY LTD, JARDEN AND COMPANY

Nine flags cuts amid advertising downturn

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Original article by James Madden
The Australian – Page: 15 & 23 : 26-Feb-25

Nine Entertainment Company has posted a 2024-25 interim net profit of $95.1m, which is 29 per cent lower than previously. EBITDA fell by 15 per cent to $268m, and revenue was steady at $1.39bn. The media group has advised that it will seek to generate cost savings of $100m across its operations over the next two years, and interim CEO Matt Stanton has indicated that the restructuring will involve some job cuts. Stanton also stated that the Domain property listings business is a key part of Nine’s growth strategy, in the wake of a $2.6bn bid for Domain from US-based CoStar Group.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, DOMAIN HOLDINGS AUSTRALIA LIMITED – ASX DHA, COSTAR GROUP INCORPORATED

Worst in 30 years: What Hottest 100 says about the state of Aussie music

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Original article by Thomas Mitchell
The Age – Page: Online : 29-Jan-25

The ABC’s youth-focused radio station Triple J is under scrutiny after its annual Hottest 100 countdown featured just 29 Australian artists; this compares with 52 last year. The head of Triple J, Lachlan Macara, says Australian music discoverability is an issue, which has been exacerbated by the growing use of streaming music platforms. Local artists account for just 9.2 per cent of songs that are streamed in Australia, and Tim Kelly from the University of Technology Sydney notes that streaming platforms’ playlists are determined by algorithms rather than radio station programmers.

CORPORATES
TRIPLE J PTY LTD, AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY

Former Foxtel chief executive Tonagh to join Nine board

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Original article by Kylar Loussikian
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 : 15-Jan-25

Nine Entertainment’s chair Catherine West says media industry veteran Peter Tonagh will be a valuable addition to the group’s board. Tonagh was previously the deputy chairman of the ABC; he is also a former CEO of both News Corp Australia and pay-TV company Foxtel. Nine is also believed to have recruited another former Foxtel executive, Amanda Laing; she is said to be set to be given oversight of Nine’s broadcast operations. Nine’s shares fell by nearly 40 per cent in 2024, although the stock has gained about four per cent so far in 2025.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, NEWS CORP AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, FOXTEL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD

Nine shoots higher as investors talk break-up

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Original article by Valerina Changarathil
The Australian – Page: 18 : 8-Jan-25

Nine Entertainment Company’s shares fell by 39 per cent in calendar 2024; however, the stock rose 5.6 per cent t to $1.32 on Tuesday, amid speculation that the diversified media group could be broken up. The recent emergence of Tanarra Capital on Nine’s share register has boosted such speculation; Tanarra is headed by John Wylie, who has successfully advocated for changes at companies such as Lendlease.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, TANARRA CAPITAL PTY LTD

Nine mulls future of talkback amid exits and cuts

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Original article by Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 21 : 9-Dec-24

Nine Entertainment’s radio division posted revenue of $103m in 2023, compared with $131.8m in 2019. Nine Radio contributes less than four per cent of the listed media group’s overall revenue, and 1.6 per cent of group EBITDA. Nine’s flagship radio stations are focused on talkback, which is competing with podcasts and streaming music platforms for audiences. Nine Radio director Tom Malone is confident about the future of the group’s radio arm. However, further on-air changes at Nine’s radio stations are possible following an overhaul at 6PR in Perth, where a recent ‘reset’ resulted in several presenters being axed and the breakfast show being extended by an hour.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC, NINE RADIO PTY LTD, 6PR SOUTHERN CROSS RADIO PTY LTD

ABC and triple j revive One Night Stand music festival

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Original article by Calum Jaspan
The Age – Page: Online : 9-Apr-24

The ABC’s youth-focused radio station triple j will team up with Music Australia to relaunch the One Night Stand music festival. The event was held annually from 2004 to 2019, but it was put on hold in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Triple j will run a competition to decide which regional town will host the one-day festival in 2024. The decision to revive One Night Stand follows the cancellation of popular music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass, Groovin the Moo and the Falls Festival.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION, TRIPLE J PTY LTD, MUSIC AUSTRALIA

Southern Cross rejects ARN Media takeover

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Original article by Sophie Elsworth
The Australian – Page: 17 : 8-Mar-24

Southern Cross Media Group has formally rejected a takeover offer from ARN Media and Anchorage Capital Partners, contending that it undervalues the TV and radio stations group. However, chairman Rob Murray has indicated that Southern Cross would be open to a revised offer. He adds that the group’s radio stations and digital audio platforms are its key focus; it owns 99 radio stations across Australia, while ARN Media owns 58 radio stations.

CORPORATES
SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA GROUP LIMITED – ASX SXL, ARN MEDIA LIMITED – ASX A1N, ANCHORAGE CAPITAL PARTNERS PTY LTD