The future of Nine Entertainment Co‘s audio assets, 2GB Sydney, 3AW Melbourne, 4BC Brisbane and 6PR Perth have been the subject of much speculation this year.
At the start of the year Nine had an operating model reset with a new Executive Team, and positional changes within the individual radio stations.
The then acting CEO Matt Stanton (he would step into the role formally the following month) said at the time:
“Our operating model reset will help accelerate the strategic transformation underway at Nine by improving how the different parts of the business work together. Our new approach will better position the business to manage the challenging external environment and ensure the company is future-fit to sustainably deliver for our consumers, partners, shareholders and people.”
Nine‘s trading update in May had losses for radio advertising revenue but cash flow in from the pending sale of Domain.
Then the conversation turned not from selling audio assets but the possibility of buying more. The August results for the 12 months to 30 June 2025, post the sale of Domain, were positive. Digital revenue growth was up 31% in audio.
Stanton said this time:
“We believe that Nine is the natural media partner for marketplace content and are continuing to explore opportunities in this space.”
Yesterday, in a briefing to all staff, Stanton said the company’s audio division is currently the subject of internal review with the results determining what, if any, of the assets might be sold. He also said that there have been several offers, one that may possibly have been from Sports Entertainment Network (SEN), after SEN CEO Craig Hutchison was seen lunching with the new this year Head of Broadcast and Streaming Amanda Laing.
A spokesperson for Nine told Radioinfo:
“Nine has commenced a comprehensive strategic review of its audio business with the intention to identify the best strategic approach that will unlock ongoing growth in audio.
We have received a number of unsolicited approaches from various parties about some assets within our audio business in recent times.
This is a genuine strategic review, with all options on the table. In the meantime, it is business as usual across our audio brands delivering compelling storytelling, quality news and program experiences.”
Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for Radioinfo.