Nine Entertainment#Digital & Print

The company was a successor of the long-established Australian media group Australian Consolidated Press (ACP), created by Sir Frank Packer, whose Channel 9 was Australia's first commercial TV network. Kerry Packer inherited the company after his father's death in 1974. ACP was combined with the Nine Network in 1994 as Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL).

Under a split of PBL into two companies, after Kerry Packer's death in 2005, PBL Media, formerly held by PBL, was transferred to Consolidated Media Holdings (CMH).{{cite press release |url=http://pbl.com.au/Images/Document/PBL%20ANNOUNCES%20SPLIT%20INTO%202%20SEPARATE%20LISTED%20COMPANIES.pdf |title=PBL announces split into two separate listed companies |publisher=PBL |date=8 May 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213126/http://pbl.com.au/Images/Document/PBL%20ANNOUNCES%20SPLIT%20INTO%202%20SEPARATE%20LISTED%20COMPANIES.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}

PBL Media was established in October 2006, when PBL transferred its media interests, including the ACP Magazines, Nine Network, and ninemsn, to the new business – a joint venture between PBL and CVC Asia Pacific.{{cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Rohan |title=Australian Media Shakeup Begins |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/18/AR2006101800216.html |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=18 October 2006 |access-date=2 August 2014}} The recapitalisation was announced on 18 October 2006.{{cite press release|title=PBL's $5.5 billion recapitalisation and establishment of Australia's largest diversified media group, PBL Media |url=http://www.smh.com.au/pdf/pblstatement.pdf |publisher=Australian Securities Exchange |date=18 October 2006 |access-date=2 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809090722/http://www.smh.com.au/pdf/pblstatement.pdf |archive-date=9 August 2014 |url-status=dead }}

{{cns|date=June 2022|John Alexander, chief executive officer of PBL, was announced as the executive chairman of PBL Media, along with Ian Law as CEO and Pat O'Sullivan as chief financial officer.}}

In June 2007, PBL announced that it would sell a further 25% to CVC Capital Partners for $515 million.{{cite press release |title=PBL sells 25 percent interest in PBL Media to CVC |url=http://pbl.com.au/Images/Document/PBL%20SELLS%20A%2025%20PERCENT%20INTEREST%20IN%20PBL%20MEDIA%20TO%20CVC.pdf |publisher=PBL |date=1 June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831214154/http://pbl.com.au/Images/Document/PBL%20SELLS%20A%2025%20PERCENT%20INTEREST%20IN%20PBL%20MEDIA%20TO%20CVC.pdf |archive-date=31 August 2007 |url-status=dead }} In September 2007, it was announced that the transaction was to go ahead at the increased purchase price of approximately $526 million.{{cite press release |url=http://www.pbl.com.au/firb_confirms_no_objection_to_cvcs_further_25_in_pbl_media.htm |title=FIRB confirms no objection to CVC's further 25 in PBL Media |publisher=PBL |date=5 September 2007 }}

On 27 October 2008, James Packer and CMH representatives, such as Alexander, resigned from the board of PBL Media, effectively ending financial backing and future associations with the company.{{cite news|title=Packer Turns Back on PBL Media|url=https://www.forbes.com/2008/10/27/packer-pbl-media-markets-equity-cx_twdd_1027markets2.html|work=Forbes|date=27 October 2008|access-date=2 August 2014}} James Packer later sold his media interests.{{Cite episode |title=Will the Son Also Rise |url=https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/will-the-son-also-rise/1096504 |access-date=8 October 2019 |series=Four Corners |series-link=Four Corners (Australian TV program) |first=Paul |last=Barry |author-link=Paul Barry |network=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |station=ABC TV |date=12 October 2009}}

{{cns|date=June 2022|On 16 December 2008, PBL Media issued a press release stating that the company's majority shareholder, CVC Capital Partners, had refinanced debt facilities as well as injecting in excess of $300 million. CMH stated that they would not be investing any further funds, and as such, CMH's 25% interest became diluted to a stake less than 1%.}}

From 2 December 2010, PBL Media rebranded as Nine Entertainment Company{{cite press release |last=Gyngell |first=David |title=Company Announcement – Nine Entertainment Co |url=http://www.nineentertainment.com.au/assets/downloads/news/PRESS%20REALEASE%20-%20NINE%20ENTERTAINMENT%20CO_20101202135137.pdf |publisher=Nine Entertainment Company |access-date=25 December 2011 |location=Sydney, NSW, Australia|date=2 December 2010 |quote=From today Nine Entertainment Company is our group's new title, new brand and new future. It will embrace Nine Television, Nine Magazines (through ACP), Nine Digital (through ninemsn, Carsales, Cudo and Sky News), and Nine Events (through Ticketek and Acer Arena) and thus draw together under one new banner all the outstanding people and vast assets of this great company. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813074009/http://www.nineentertainment.com.au/assets/downloads/news/PRESS%20REALEASE%20-%20NINE%20ENTERTAINMENT%20CO_20101202135137.pdf |archive-date=13 August 2011 |url-status=dead }} In December 2011 former McDonald's Australia chief executive Peter Bush was appointed chairman following the resignation of Tim Parker. In February 2013 David Haslingden, previously President and Chief Operating Officer of Fox Networks Group, was appointed to the Board as an independent non-executive director and chairman.

In December 2013, Nine Entertainment listed on the ASX, trading as {{asx|NEC}}. Vendors included Apollo Global Management, Oaktree Capital and Goldman Sachs who took over from CVC in a refinancing deal in October 2012 when Nine was on the brink of receivership.

In 2014, Nine Entertainment Co. founded online streaming company Stan with Fairfax Media, investing $50 million into the joint venture.{{cite news |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |quote=Nine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media's video streaming joint venture is expected to launch in February or earlier after it announced its brand name - Stan - and first-run rights to Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul. |title=Fairfax, Nine announce joint venture streaming service |first=Dominic |last=White |date=5 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726122903/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/fairfax-nine-announce-joint-venture-streaming-service-20141105-11h7bq.html |archive-date=26 July 2024 |access-date=26 July 2024 |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/fairfax-nine-announce-joint-venture-streaming-service-20141105-11h7bq.html}}

On 16 April 2015, Nine Entertainment Co. announced the sale of its Nine Live business to Affinity Equity Partners for $640 million to reduce debt and fund an ongoing capital management program.{{cite press release |url=http://www.nineentertainment.com.au/sale-of-nine-live.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613093218/http://www.nineentertainment.com.au/sale-of-nine-live.aspx |archive-date=13 June 2016 |url-status=dead |date=16 April 2015 |location=Sydney |website=nineentertainment.com.au |title=Sale of Nine Live}} In October 2015, the WIN Corporation purchased a 14% stake in Nine Entertainment Co. from investment fund operator Apollo.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

In November 2015, Hugh Marks was appointed as CEO. He replaced David Gyngell, who remained on the board.{{Cite web |title=Nine Entertainment appoints Hugh Marks as CEO, to replace David Gyngell |first=Dominic |last=White |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/nine-entertainment-appoints-hugh-marks-as-ceo-to-replace-david-gyngell-20151108-gktyi8.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240726123539/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-entertainment-appoints-hugh-marks-as-ceo-to-replace-david-gyngell-20151109-gktyi8.html |archive-date=26 July 2024 |url-status=live |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=8 November 2015 |access-date=9 November 2015 }} In February 2016, Peter Costello was appointed chair.{{cite news |url=http://www.skynews.com.au/business/business/national/2016/02/25/peter-costello-appointed-nine-chairman.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705172441/http://www.skynews.com.au/business/business/national/2016/02/25/peter-costello-appointed-nine-chairman.html |archive-date=5 July 2017 |url-status=dead |title=Peter Costello appointed Nine Chairman |work=Sky News Australia |date=25 February 2016 }}

In March 2016, Nine Entertainment Co purchased a 9.9% stake in Southern Cross Media Group from the Macquarie Group.{{cite web |first=David|last=Knox |url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/03/nine-buys-southern-cross-shares.html |title=Nine buys Southern Cross shares |date=18 March 2016 |access-date=18 March 2016 |work=TV Tonight }} On 29 April 2016, Nine Entertainment Co. ended a 27-year affiliation agreement with WIN Corporation, instead partnering with Southern Cross Austereo in parts of regional Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, after securing a 50% revenue sharing deal with Southern Cross, which is higher than its existing 39% deal with WIN.{{cite web|url=http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2016/04/nine-signs-affiliation-agreement-with-southern-cross.html|title=Nine signs affiliation agreement with Southern Cross |date=29 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016|first=David|last=Knox|work=TV Tonight}}{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-29/nine-and-southern-cross-ink-new-regional-tv-deal/7371772|title=Nine and Southern Cross ink new regional TV deal |date=29 April 2016|access-date=29 April 2016|first=Michael|last=Janda|work=ABC News |location=Australia }} Nine sold its stake in the business in September.{{cite web|url=http://www.adnews.com.au/news/nine-sells-stake-in-southern-cross-after-only-six-months|title=Nine sells stake in Southern Cross after only six months|date=30 September 2016|access-date=7 August 2019|work=AdNews}}

On 26 July 2018, Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media announced they agreed on terms for a merger between the two companies to become Australia's largest media company. As a result of the merger, Nine shareholders own 51.1 percent of the combined entity and Fairfax shareholders own 48.9 percent.{{cite news |title=Nine and Fairfax agree terms to merge to become Australia's largest media company |url=https://finance.nine.com.au/2018/07/26/08/45/nine-and-fairfax-agree-terms-to-merge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224210038/https://finance.nine.com.au/business-news/nine-and-fairfax-agree-terms-to-merge/c1c826d8-51b6-4999-b657-a2d4f8e6c501 |archive-date=24 December 2022 |first=Stuart |last=Marsh |url-status=dead |publisher=9Finance |date=26 July 2018 |access-date=26 July 2018 }} After the merger between Nine Entertainment Co and Fairfax Media in December 2018, WIN Corporation's stake was diluted to 7.76% but later increased to 15.24% in January 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/media/wins-bruce-gordon-lifts-voting-power-in-nine-entertainment/news-story/72762f57ba209ed35dff6a6a1b44a3c0 |title=WIN's Bruce Gordon lifts voting power in Nine Entertainment |work=The Australian }} In September 2018, it was announced that WIN Corporation's overall economic interest had grown to 25%.{{cite news |url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/breaking-news/nine-shares-to-go-to-win/story-fni0xqe3-1227575372485 |title=Nine buys back Perth station |access-date=20 October 2015 |date=20 October 2015 |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=Australia }}

On 25 May 2020, Nine Entertainment sold their New Zealand subsidiary Stuff, which had been acquired during the purchase of Fairfax in December 2018, to Stuff's chief executive Sinead Boucher for NZ$1. The transaction was completed by 31 May and marked the return of Stuff into New Zealand ownership. As part of the agreement, Nine received all proceeds of the sale of wholesale broadband business Stuff Fibre to telecommunications company Vocus Group, and ownership of Stuff's Wellington printing press.{{cite news |last1=Pullar-Strecker |first1=Tom |title=Stuff ownership to return to NZ after management buy-out |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=Stuff |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042602/https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/121613980/stuff-ownership-to-return-to-nz-after-management-buyout |archive-date=25 May 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Rutherford |first1=Hamish |title=Stuff sold for $1 to CEO Sinead Boucher by Nine Entertainment |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald|date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525042737/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12334494 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}{{cite news |title=Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher buys company for $1 |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=25 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200525043043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/417448/stuff-chief-executive-sinead-boucher-buys-company-for-1 |archive-date=25 May 2020}}

In November 2020, Hugh Marks resigned from the Nine Network after revealing he was in a relationship with a former colleague.{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-boss-hugh-marks-resigns-20201114-p56em3.html |title= Nine boss Hugh Marks resigns |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=14 November 2020 }} Nine Entertainment relocated from Willoughby, where it had been based for 64 years, to new offices at 1 Denison Street, in North Sydney in December 2020.[https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-entertainment-co-officially-opens-north-sydney-campus-20201204-p56ko6.html Nine Entertainment Co officially opens North Sydney campus] Sydney Morning Herald 4 December 2020

In March 2021, Nine Entertainment announced the appointment of Mike Sneesby as Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 April 2021, following Hugh Marks resignation.{{cite web |first=David|last=Knox |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/nine-names-mike-sneesby-as-ceo-671590 |title= Nine names Mike Sneesby as CEO |date=3 March 2021 |access-date= 3 March 2021 |work=Mumbrella }} On 12 March 2021, Nine announced that it would be returning its regional affiliation back to WIN Television, ending its 5 year affiliation with SCA. As part of the deal, WIN will pay Nine 50% of advertising revenue and provide airtime to Nine's assets across its television and radio network. The affiliation switch was reversed on 1 July 2021. Upon the switch, WIN's unique branding was phased out in favour of Nine's metro branding with the WIN branding retained for local idents, promos, community announcements and sponsor billboards. However, WIN News remains under its unique name and format.

It was announced on 15 September 2021, that WIN's advertising department would be merged into Nine's advertising team with Nine's advertising platform 9Galaxy extending into regional areas from July 2022. This will mean advertisers in regional areas can book advertising directly with Nine for the first time instead of booking with WIN.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnews.com.au/news/nine-upfront-galaxy-being-developed-for-regional-tv|title= Nine Upfront – Galaxy being developed for regional TV – Ad News|date=15 September 2021|publisher=AdNews}}

In June 2024, Peter Costello resigned as chairman and was replaced by Catherine West.{{Cite news |date=2024-06-09 |title=Peter Costello resigns as chairman of Nine Entertainment 'effective immediately' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/article/2024/jun/09/peter-costello-resigns-as-chairman-of-nine-entertainment-effective-immediately |access-date=2024-06-09 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

In September 2024, after mounting pressure over allegations of toxic culture, Mike Sneesby announced he was stepping down as chief executive of Nine Entertainment and would leave the media company at the end of the month.{{Cite news |date=2024-09-11 |title=Nine chief executive Mike Sneesby steps down after 'challenging' year for the network |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-12/nine-chief-executive-mike-sneesby-steps-down/104341350 |access-date=2024-09-30 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}

• Nine Network, an Australian commercial free-to-air television primary channel
• Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin, Northern New South Wales and Gold Coast
• 9HD is an Australian free-to-air HD digital television multichannel using the primary channel simulcast
• 9Gem is an Australian free-to-air digital television multichannel suitable for sport and entertainment
• 9Go! is an Australian free-to-air digital television multichannel aimed at 14- to 39-year-olds.
• 9Life is an Australian free-to-air digital television multichannel featuring reality and lifestyle programs{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-2016-upfront-plans-to-broadcast-in-hd-and-launch-new-lifestyle-fta-channel/|title=Nine 2016 Upfront: Plans to broadcast in HD and launch new lifestyle FTA channel|date=28 October 2015|access-date=28 October 2015|work=Mediaweek|first=Dan|last=Barrett}}
• 9Rush is an Australian free-to-air digital television multichannel aimed at a 25- to 54-year-old male audience. (joint venture with WBD)
• 10 Darwin (50% joint venture with Southern Cross Austereo, Network 10 affiliate)
• 9Now a video on demand, catch-up TV service which carries the main and multichannels of the Nine Network
• Stan, an Australian subscription streaming service.

{{Main|Nine Radio}}

The following stations are run under a lease agreement by Ace Radio.

{{Main|Nine Digital}}

• 9News.com.au, a news portal
• Nine.com.au, a web portal
• 9Entertainment
• 9Finance
• 9Honey, a women's web network
• 9Product Review
• 9Travel
• Future Women
• Pedestrian Group
• Wide World of Sports, online services of Nine's sports brand

• Australian Financial Review, a newspaper and subscription news website
• The Australian Financial Review Magazine, a monthly magazine insert
• BOSS, a monthly magazine insert
• Life & Leisure, a magazine insert
• Luxury, a quarterly magazine insert
• Brisbane Times, a subscription news website
• The Age, a newspaper and subscription news website
• The Sydney Morning Herald, a newspaper and subscription news website
• Good Weekend, a magazine insert in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald
• Good Food, a content brand for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald
• Traveller, a magazine insert in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald
• Sunday Life, a magazine insert in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald
• WAtoday, a subscription news website

• 9Saver
• 9Voyager, an advertisement buying platform{{Cite web|url=https://www.nineforbrands.com.au/media-release/nine-launches-9voyager-opening-up-television-market-to-small-and-medium-businesses/|title = Nine Launches 9Voyager Opening up Television Market to Small and Medium Businesses}}
• Domain Group (59.2%)

• ACP Magazines, a magazine publisher operating in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the United Kingdom. Sold to the Bauer Media Group in 2012.
• Australian Community Media, a newspaper publisher. Sold to Antony Catalano and Thorney Investment Group in 2019
• Cudo, a group buying site launched as a joint venture with Microsoft{{cite web |title=Click on down, let's make a deal |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/click-on-down-lets-make-a-deal-20110525-1f4cp.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=26 May 2011 |last=Zappone |first=Chris |access-date=7 June 2011}} Sold to Deals.com.au in 2013{{cite web |title=Mi9 latest to exit group buying, selling Cudo to owner of deals.com.au |url=http://mumbrella.com.au/ninemsn-sells-group-buying-website-cudo-164744 |work=Mumbrella |date=1 July 2013 |access-date=16 January 2014}}
• Fairfax Events and Entertainment, an events and entertainment company. Sold to Ironman group in 2019
• Find a Babysitter, a babysitter website was sold to its co-founders, Delia Timms and Jeff Bonnes, in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Timms |first1=Delia |last2=Bonnes |first2=Jeff |title=About Find a Babysitter |url=https://www.findababysitter.com.au/about |website=Find a Babysitter |access-date=10 June 2021}}
• RSVP, an online dating service was sold by Nine to its managers David Heysen and Daniel Haigh in 2021.{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Mark |title=RSVP Bought by Oasis Founders, Current Managers |url=https://www.onlinepersonalswatch.com/news/2021/03/rsvp-bought-by-oasis-founders-current-managers-.html |website=Online Personals Watch |publisher=Internet Dating Excellence Association |access-date=10 June 2021}}
• Stuff Ltd, a New Zealand publisher and digital company. Sold to Sinead Boucher in May 2020.
• Sydney Super Dome, an entertainment and sporting complex located in Sydney. Sold to Affinity Equity Partners in 2015
• Ticketek, an event ticketing company operating in Australia and New Zealand. Sold to Affinity Equity Partners in 2015.
• Sky News Australia (33%), an Australian 24-hour cable news channel (joint venture with BSkyB and Seven West Media). Sold to News Corp Australia in December 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.smh.com.au/business/media-and-marketing/news-corp-buys-sky-news-in-australia-and-new-zealand-from-seven-and-nine-20161201-gt1kuz.html |title= News Corp buys Sky News in Australia and New Zealand from Seven and Nine |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 December 2016 |access-date=1 December 2016}}
• Southern Cross Media Group (9.9%), a radio and regional television media company. Divested in 2016.
• Weatherzone (75%), a weather information provider. Sold to DTN in 2019.[https://www.mediaweek.com.au/nine-announces-weatherzone-sale-to-dtn/ Nine announces Weatherzone sale to DTN]. Media Week

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|https://www.nineentertainment.com.au}}

{{Nine Entertainment}}

{{S&P/ASX 200}}

{{Free-to-air television channels in Australia}}

Category:2013 initial public offerings

Category:Companies based in Sydney

Category:Companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange

Category:CVC Capital Partners companies

Category:Mass media companies of Australia

Category:Television broadcasting companies of Australia

Category:Australian companies established in 2006

Category:Mass media companies established in 2006

de:Publishing and Broadcasting#PBL Media