Southern Cross Media Group has appointed Chris Jones to the newly created role of Director of Sport – TV, Audio and Streaming, leading sports strategy across the group.

Chris will be responsible for driving a unified sport strategy for 7Sport, Triple M and LiSTNR that scales and grows the group’s footprint across broadcast television, audio, digital, publishing and social platforms, establishing an unmatched competitive advantage in the Australian media landscape. With the news of Nine and Foxtel‘s $5.3 billion media rights agreement to keep hold of the NRL rights beyond 2027, Chris’s role will also include leading sports rights negotiations on behalf of the entire group.

With more than two decades of industry and executive experience, most recently as Director of Network Sport at Seven, Chris has delivering ratings success and managed broadcasts for major sporting events, including the AFL, the Australian Open, the US Masters, the Rio Olympic Games and the Spring Racing Carnival.

Chris Jones said:

“It’s a privilege to lead this merged team of some of the country’s most talented on and off-air broadcasters. Working closely with Ewan Giles and the SCA sport team, we now have an incredible opportunity to capitalise on our strengths, allowing us to share talent, resources, and ideas seamlessly while protecting what makes each brand distinctive.

“Bringing our sports offering together marks a major evolution in content consumption. By elevating digital and social media alongside traditional TV and audio broadcasts, we will capture fans who engage with content far beyond our traditional assets. Every platform matters, every audience matters, and everyone on our team plays a role across all assets.”

“This team will heavily support, promote and launch our diverse scale of assets across the merged company – including our Western Australian products, 7NEWS, Sunrise and our entertainment slate across audio and TV, into every market around Australia.”

“Sport audiences want great coverage whenever and however they consume it. By bringing together 7SPORT, Triple M and LiSTNR sport, we are building Australia’s most complete sports media operation, delivering engaging content wherever you are, throughout the whole day.”

Managing Director – TV and Streaming, Angus Ross said:

“Seven and SCA’s dominance in sport is unmatched, and bringing both businesses together has provided a massive opportunity to maximise our footprint across broadcast and audio. Chris has an incredible track record with Seven and the broader sporting industry. Having worked closely with Triple M over the years, it makes perfect sense to extend his expertise across audio to lead negotiations across all pillars. Chris has live sport in his DNA and has spent over 20 years delivering every major sporting code across the country. He has the deep respect of the sporting codes and a proven history of delivering great outcomes for the game, and bringing all these assets together under one sports strategy is a massive win for our audiences and advertisers.”

Managing Director – Audio, John Kelly said:

“Sport holds an unrivalled power to connect Australians, and this unified strategy delivers a massive competitive advantage. The SCA sports team already drives strong engagement through Triple M and LiSTNR, built on a legacy of passion, expert insight, and unmatched talent. By working closer with Seven under Chris’ leadership we are unlocking a powerful cross-medium ecosystem. For our audiences, it means the country’s most comprehensive sports coverage, and for our clients and partners, it provides an unprecedented scale to reach highly engaged fans at every hour of the day.”

This unified sports division will support, promote, and launch entertainment and news assets across the entire company including 7NEWS, Sunrise, The Morning Show, Seven’s Western Australian assets, and the broader audio and TV platforms.

Chris reports to Angus Ross, while working closely with Managing Director and CEO, Rohan Lund, John Kelly and SWM WA CEO, Maryna Fewster to drive the joint strategy. Ewan Giles will report directly to Jones. The new role is effective immediately.