TELEVISION BROADCASTING – AUSTRALIA

Squeeze is on for Nine executive to get more juice out of the fruit

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Original article by Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 17 : 19-Nov-25

Nine Entertainment’s streaming and broadcast division generated 78 per cent of the group’s revenue and two-thirds of EBITA in 2024-25, when Domain is excluded from the results; free-to-air TV accounted for the bulk of the division’s revenue. Nine’s managing director of streaming and broadcast, Amanda Laing, faces the challenge of cutting costs while managing both the decline of free-to-air TV and the growth of free and subscription-based streaming video. She recently retrenched 50 employees within the division, and has not ruled out further job cuts; however, she has emphasised the need to transform the division, rather than simply reducing costs.

CORPORATES
NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC

Network Ten eyes NRL bid even as losses balloon

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Original article by Sam Buckingham-Jones
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 15 : 12-Nov-25

The Ten Network’s latest corporate filings show that it posted a loss of $162m in 2024, which followed a loss of $322m for the previous year. The disappointing financial results have been attributed to factors such as low ratings and weak advertising revenue. Ten Network’s president Beverley McGarvey says it will consider bidding for the National Rugby League’s next broadcasting rights deal, noting that new US parent company Paramount Skydance is heavily investing in sports content. Media analyst Steve Allen says Ten needs the rights to some tier-one sports, noting that they remain popular with viewers despite the growing shift to streaming platforms.

CORPORATES
TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS LIMITED, PARAMOUNT SKYDANCE CORPORATION, NATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE

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

Seven’s profit slumps but digital offers hope

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Original article by James Madden
The Australian – Page: 17 : 13-Aug-25

Seven West Media has reported a 2024-25 statutory profit of just $17m, which is 63 per cent lower than previously. Revenue was five per cent lower at $1.4bn and underlyimg earnings were down 15 per cent to $159m, although CEO Jeff Howard notes that underlying earnings rose by six per cent in the second half. Meanwhile, the group’s 7plus digital platform recorded 26 per cent growth in revenue during 2024-25. Howard says 7plus is close to offsetting the revenue decline in Seven’s traditional broadcast TV business; he adds that although viewers will continue to switch to streaming, Seven remains committed to broadcast TV.

CORPORATES
SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM

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

Tough advertising market smashes Seven West Media’s earnings

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Original article by James Manning
The Australian – Page: 20 : 12-Feb-25

Seven West Media has posted a net profit of just $17.7m for the first half of 2024-25, which is 68 per cent lower than previously. Revenue was down 6.2 per cent at $727.3m and EBITA fell 26 per cent to $92m. Seven has noted that rival Nine Entertainment benefited from its coverage of the Paris Olympic Games during the half-year; Seven’s own financial results for the previous corresponding period had also been boosted by its coverage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Meanwhile, Seven’s share of the advertising market rose by 0.5 per cent during the half-year, to 41.5 per cent; its advertising share was 43.8 per cent in the December quarter.

CORPORATES
SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, SEVEN NETWORK LIMITED, NINE ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY HOLDINGS LIMITED – ASX NEC

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