James Warburton, who heads Australian network Seven, has stepped down, effective immediately.
He had already been planning to exit his Managing Director and CEO role at Seven parent Seven West Media (Swm) in June, but an update to the Australian Stock Exchange revealed finishes today.
Swm Chief Financial Officer Jeff Howard will replace him tomorrow, with Craig Haskins becoming Acting CFO until a replacement is found.
Swm Chairman Kerry Stokes and Howard both thanked Warburton for “his contribution to the business over many years.”
The well-known media exec worked for Seven between 2003 and 2011 before he exited to become CEO of rival Ten Network, which saw Seven launch legal action to slow his start. After eight years and several roles away, he rejoined Seven in 2019 as MD and CEO.
Like most major commercial free-to-air networks around the world, Seven has been hit hard by the TV ad market decline and is...
He had already been planning to exit his Managing Director and CEO role at Seven parent Seven West Media (Swm) in June, but an update to the Australian Stock Exchange revealed finishes today.
Swm Chief Financial Officer Jeff Howard will replace him tomorrow, with Craig Haskins becoming Acting CFO until a replacement is found.
Swm Chairman Kerry Stokes and Howard both thanked Warburton for “his contribution to the business over many years.”
The well-known media exec worked for Seven between 2003 and 2011 before he exited to become CEO of rival Ten Network, which saw Seven launch legal action to slow his start. After eight years and several roles away, he rejoined Seven in 2019 as MD and CEO.
Like most major commercial free-to-air networks around the world, Seven has been hit hard by the TV ad market decline and is...
- 4/18/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven West Media (Swm) is making another bid for Prime Media (Pmt), entering into a conditional share sale agreement to acquire all the business and related assets of the regional broadcasting group.
The acquisition comes nearly two years after a proposed merger between the two companies was blocked by shareholders.
In a statement, Swm said the combined business would create a “leading wholly-owned commercial premium broadcast, video and news network across Australia, reaching more than 90 per cent of the Australian population every month”.
“This proposal is an important step forward for both companies,” managing director and CEO, James Warburton said.
“Swm and Prt are great partners and have a long, successful relationship.
“Together, they will offer the best content for our national audience and unmatchable premium revenue opportunities for our clients.
“The proposed transaction is an exciting and transformative development for advertisers and media buyers. It means we will be...
The acquisition comes nearly two years after a proposed merger between the two companies was blocked by shareholders.
In a statement, Swm said the combined business would create a “leading wholly-owned commercial premium broadcast, video and news network across Australia, reaching more than 90 per cent of the Australian population every month”.
“This proposal is an important step forward for both companies,” managing director and CEO, James Warburton said.
“Swm and Prt are great partners and have a long, successful relationship.
“Together, they will offer the best content for our national audience and unmatchable premium revenue opportunities for our clients.
“The proposed transaction is an exciting and transformative development for advertisers and media buyers. It means we will be...
- 10/31/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
New spin-offs of The Voice and House Rules join a host of returning franchises in the Seven Network’s 2022 slate, which features a renewed focus on light entertainment.
Of the titles announced as part of today’s upfronts, Screentime’s Claremont was the sole local drama, reflecting a shift from the 2021 schedule which included three.
The four-hour investigative miniseries from the creative team behind Catching Milat details how the disappearance of young women launches a 25-year investigation by the police and one tenacious journalist, who are united in their determination to seek justice. Major production investment was provided by Screen Australia in association with Seven, with finance from Screen Nsw.
Claremont is joined in the schedule by My Kitchen Rules, The Voice: Generations, AGT, Australian Idol, and Apartment Rules – a spin-off of House Rules – as well as new factual series’ Strike Force and Code 1: Minute by Minute, both of which are produced by Wtfn.
Of the titles announced as part of today’s upfronts, Screentime’s Claremont was the sole local drama, reflecting a shift from the 2021 schedule which included three.
The four-hour investigative miniseries from the creative team behind Catching Milat details how the disappearance of young women launches a 25-year investigation by the police and one tenacious journalist, who are united in their determination to seek justice. Major production investment was provided by Screen Australia in association with Seven, with finance from Screen Nsw.
Claremont is joined in the schedule by My Kitchen Rules, The Voice: Generations, AGT, Australian Idol, and Apartment Rules – a spin-off of House Rules – as well as new factual series’ Strike Force and Code 1: Minute by Minute, both of which are produced by Wtfn.
- 10/12/2021
- by Sean Slatter
- IF.com.au
Seven West Media has established the David Leckie Scholarship Program in memory of the former television executive.
To be held annually, the program offers a 12-month scholarship at Seven West Media for a junior graduate with a passion for sales, programming, or news.
It comes two months after the death of Leckie at age 70 following a long battle with illness.
The scholarship was developed in conjunction with Skye Leckie and the pair’s sons Harry and Ben, who will also judge applications alongside senior Seven West Media executives.
In a statement, the family said the former Seven Network CEO was never happier than when he was working in television.
“David’s passion in life was television, from the time he joined Gtv Melbourne as managing director, to his role as CEO at Tcn and then as CEO of Seven Network,” they said.
“David had an innate ability to understand what Australians wanted to watch.
To be held annually, the program offers a 12-month scholarship at Seven West Media for a junior graduate with a passion for sales, programming, or news.
It comes two months after the death of Leckie at age 70 following a long battle with illness.
The scholarship was developed in conjunction with Skye Leckie and the pair’s sons Harry and Ben, who will also judge applications alongside senior Seven West Media executives.
In a statement, the family said the former Seven Network CEO was never happier than when he was working in television.
“David’s passion in life was television, from the time he joined Gtv Melbourne as managing director, to his role as CEO at Tcn and then as CEO of Seven Network,” they said.
“David had an innate ability to understand what Australians wanted to watch.
- 9/19/2021
- by Staff Writer
- IF.com.au
David Leckie, one of the most senior executives in Australian television, is dead. He died at home at Mulberry Farm on Tuesday after a prolonged illness.
Leckie was CEO of Nine Network from 1990 to 2001. In 2003, he joined Seven Network and led it to ratings success.
Leckie held several senior roles with the Seven group, including CEO of Seven Network, MD and CEO of Seven Media Group and Seven West Media, and was a board director of Seven Network Limited, Seven West Media and Seven Group Holdings.
“Inspiring, engaging, loud, passionate and famously difficult at times, he was an extraordinary sales person and an intuitive TV programmer. Without a doubt he was the best TV executive this country has ever seen and an important influence and mentor for so many people and careers. He was once labelled the last of the rock star CEOs and I’d say that was a pretty good description,...
Leckie was CEO of Nine Network from 1990 to 2001. In 2003, he joined Seven Network and led it to ratings success.
Leckie held several senior roles with the Seven group, including CEO of Seven Network, MD and CEO of Seven Media Group and Seven West Media, and was a board director of Seven Network Limited, Seven West Media and Seven Group Holdings.
“Inspiring, engaging, loud, passionate and famously difficult at times, he was an extraordinary sales person and an intuitive TV programmer. Without a doubt he was the best TV executive this country has ever seen and an important influence and mentor for so many people and careers. He was once labelled the last of the rock star CEOs and I’d say that was a pretty good description,...
- 7/20/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
‘Holey Moley.’
The Seven Network is counting on new and returning franchises and three new Australian dramas to maintain ratings momentum next year.
Unveiling its 2021 schedule today, Seven trumpeted The Voice, Holey Moley, Ultimate Tag, Big Brother, Farmer Wants a Wife, Australia’s Got Talent and the renewal of Sas Australia.
The network also revealed it will revive Fremantle’s Australian Idol, which last screened on Network 10 in 2009. Production on the reboot is due to start mid-year and it will premiere in February 2022.
The dramas are Endemol Shine Banks’ Rfds ; Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Australian Gangster, which finally makes the schedule after a three-year delay due to legal issues; and the second season of Every Cloud Productions’ Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, a co-commission with North American streamer Acorn TV.
Among the new factual entertainment shows, Blink TV’s Australia: Now and Then, will ask celebrities, comedians, musicians,...
The Seven Network is counting on new and returning franchises and three new Australian dramas to maintain ratings momentum next year.
Unveiling its 2021 schedule today, Seven trumpeted The Voice, Holey Moley, Ultimate Tag, Big Brother, Farmer Wants a Wife, Australia’s Got Talent and the renewal of Sas Australia.
The network also revealed it will revive Fremantle’s Australian Idol, which last screened on Network 10 in 2009. Production on the reboot is due to start mid-year and it will premiere in February 2022.
The dramas are Endemol Shine Banks’ Rfds ; Roadshow Rough Diamond’s Australian Gangster, which finally makes the schedule after a three-year delay due to legal issues; and the second season of Every Cloud Productions’ Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, a co-commission with North American streamer Acorn TV.
Among the new factual entertainment shows, Blink TV’s Australia: Now and Then, will ask celebrities, comedians, musicians,...
- 10/21/2020
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Sydney, Oct 6 (Ians) India's Test tour of Australia could be in jeopardy if the tussle between Channel Seven and Cricket Australia over annual broadcasting fees is not resolved.
Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald reported that Seven West Media, owner of Channel 7, took Cricket Australia into arbitration on Tuesday morning and has threatened to pull out of the deal.
According to Smh, Seven's managing director James Warburton had already threatened to drop a push for a discount and head to the courts to terminate its six-year deal worth Aud 450 million.
The case has been lodged at Australian Chamber for International and Commercial Arbitration and Seven seeks an expert to determine the rights value of the series. A decision against them could cost Cricket Australia millions of dollars.
Channel Seven had originally sought a cut in annual fees for this summer after the Board of Control for Cricket in India...
Australian newspaper Sydney Morning Herald reported that Seven West Media, owner of Channel 7, took Cricket Australia into arbitration on Tuesday morning and has threatened to pull out of the deal.
According to Smh, Seven's managing director James Warburton had already threatened to drop a push for a discount and head to the courts to terminate its six-year deal worth Aud 450 million.
The case has been lodged at Australian Chamber for International and Commercial Arbitration and Seven seeks an expert to determine the rights value of the series. A decision against them could cost Cricket Australia millions of dollars.
Channel Seven had originally sought a cut in annual fees for this summer after the Board of Control for Cricket in India...
- 10/6/2020
- by IANS
- GlamSham
The Federal Government has announced a seven-year, $400 million incentive to attract film and television productions to Australia.
The government says the extension of the current $140 million Location Incentive Program (Lip) will generate an estimated $3 billion in foreign spending and create up to 8,000 jobs.
While the initiative will be welcomed by Ausfilm, studios, Pdv facilities and crew, the timing is odd given the government is yet to respond to the options paper review.
Virtually all the submissions from key stakeholders to the review called for the Location Offset to be raised from the non-competitive 16.5 per cent to 30 per cent.
Free TV Australia expressed frustration at the timing of the announcement amid the ongoing review into local content, quotas and support for the domestic industry.
“It’s difficult to understand why the government has made a one-off decision now about a single element of the mix right in the middle of this process,...
The government says the extension of the current $140 million Location Incentive Program (Lip) will generate an estimated $3 billion in foreign spending and create up to 8,000 jobs.
While the initiative will be welcomed by Ausfilm, studios, Pdv facilities and crew, the timing is odd given the government is yet to respond to the options paper review.
Virtually all the submissions from key stakeholders to the review called for the Location Offset to be raised from the non-competitive 16.5 per cent to 30 per cent.
Free TV Australia expressed frustration at the timing of the announcement amid the ongoing review into local content, quotas and support for the domestic industry.
“It’s difficult to understand why the government has made a one-off decision now about a single element of the mix right in the middle of this process,...
- 7/16/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Mikael Borglund.
Beyond International has acquired the UK arm of Seven West Media’s Seven Studios and Swm’s 51 per cent stake in Los Angeles-based 7Beyond.
Both Seven Studios UK, headed by Damon Pattison, and 7Beyond will be re-branded as Beyond Productions and will report to John Luscombe, Beyond Productions’ general manager and exec VP.
As part of the deal, Beyond gets the international format rights to Pooch Perfect and the UK and Australian versions.
Striving to reduce Swm’s debt of more than $540 million, in February CEO James Warburton appointed investment bank Morgan Stanley to conduct a strategic review of Seven Studios after receiving a number of “partnership inquiries.”
Warburton said on Thursday: “As part of our ongoing transformation, we’ve reassessed our appetite for investment in offshore production interests and have elected to divest Seven Studios UK and our interest in the 7Beyond Jv.
“Our longstanding relationship with...
Beyond International has acquired the UK arm of Seven West Media’s Seven Studios and Swm’s 51 per cent stake in Los Angeles-based 7Beyond.
Both Seven Studios UK, headed by Damon Pattison, and 7Beyond will be re-branded as Beyond Productions and will report to John Luscombe, Beyond Productions’ general manager and exec VP.
As part of the deal, Beyond gets the international format rights to Pooch Perfect and the UK and Australian versions.
Striving to reduce Swm’s debt of more than $540 million, in February CEO James Warburton appointed investment bank Morgan Stanley to conduct a strategic review of Seven Studios after receiving a number of “partnership inquiries.”
Warburton said on Thursday: “As part of our ongoing transformation, we’ve reassessed our appetite for investment in offshore production interests and have elected to divest Seven Studios UK and our interest in the 7Beyond Jv.
“Our longstanding relationship with...
- 7/9/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Michael Horrocks.
The staff exodus at Seven West Media’s Seven Studios continues with Michael Horrocks, the executive producer of comedy, confirming he is departing.
Horrocks, who has held the post for two years, created Fam Time, a narrative comedy about a dysfunctional blended family who are addicted to their screens.
Starring Michala Banas, Duncan Fellows and Benson Jack Anthony, the 6 x 30′ show is the Seven Network’s first original sitcom in more than 20 years, since Bullpitt!, and is yet to premiere.
Hayden Guppy directed the series scripted by Erica Harrison and Jack Yabsley and produced by Muffy Potter.
The downsizing at Seven Studios began with news that CEO Therese Hegarty would depart after eight years with the network.
Her role is being abolished and Seven’s director of production Andrew Backwell has taken charge of Seven Studios.
That was followed by the exits of Niki Hamilton, the executive producer...
The staff exodus at Seven West Media’s Seven Studios continues with Michael Horrocks, the executive producer of comedy, confirming he is departing.
Horrocks, who has held the post for two years, created Fam Time, a narrative comedy about a dysfunctional blended family who are addicted to their screens.
Starring Michala Banas, Duncan Fellows and Benson Jack Anthony, the 6 x 30′ show is the Seven Network’s first original sitcom in more than 20 years, since Bullpitt!, and is yet to premiere.
Hayden Guppy directed the series scripted by Erica Harrison and Jack Yabsley and produced by Muffy Potter.
The downsizing at Seven Studios began with news that CEO Therese Hegarty would depart after eight years with the network.
Her role is being abolished and Seven’s director of production Andrew Backwell has taken charge of Seven Studios.
That was followed by the exits of Niki Hamilton, the executive producer...
- 6/14/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Therese Hegarty.
Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty is departing in a restructure after eight years with the Seven Network.
Her position has been abolished and the production unit’s operations will be run by Seven director of production Andrew Backwell.
Seven West Media described her exit as part of an ongoing transformation resulting from the significant financial and operational impact of Covid-19.
In a statement, the highly regarded executive said: “I have been privileged to work with such an incredible team of talented, generous people, many of whom I am proud to call friends, across the eight years and various roles I have held at Seven.
“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all of them. I’m very sad to be leaving Seven but look forward to new challenges in the future.”
Swm MD/CEO James Warburton said: “Therese has been a true asset to the business,...
Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty is departing in a restructure after eight years with the Seven Network.
Her position has been abolished and the production unit’s operations will be run by Seven director of production Andrew Backwell.
Seven West Media described her exit as part of an ongoing transformation resulting from the significant financial and operational impact of Covid-19.
In a statement, the highly regarded executive said: “I have been privileged to work with such an incredible team of talented, generous people, many of whom I am proud to call friends, across the eight years and various roles I have held at Seven.
“I’d like to express my sincere thanks to all of them. I’m very sad to be leaving Seven but look forward to new challenges in the future.”
Swm MD/CEO James Warburton said: “Therese has been a true asset to the business,...
- 5/6/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Brad Lyons.
Brad Lyons, the Seven Network’s former director of production and a network executive for 20 years, died on Sunday from cancer.
After joining the broadcaster in 1997 as head of infotainment, he climbed the management ladder and oversaw some of its biggest franchises including My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, Little Big Shots, The Chase, Dancing With the Stars and First Dates.
Among the shows he was most proud of, he pointed to Dancing with the Stars, Deal or No Deal and My Kitchen Rules.
Australia was the first territory in the world to acquire the UK format Strictly Come Dancing and the first to strip Deal or No Deal Monday-Friday.
A former journalist, he worked for newspapers in Western Australia before joining Seven News in Perth. He then worked for the Nine Network and Beyond Productions before returning to Seven.
Former Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner tells If:...
Brad Lyons, the Seven Network’s former director of production and a network executive for 20 years, died on Sunday from cancer.
After joining the broadcaster in 1997 as head of infotainment, he climbed the management ladder and oversaw some of its biggest franchises including My Kitchen Rules, House Rules, Little Big Shots, The Chase, Dancing With the Stars and First Dates.
Among the shows he was most proud of, he pointed to Dancing with the Stars, Deal or No Deal and My Kitchen Rules.
Australia was the first territory in the world to acquire the UK format Strictly Come Dancing and the first to strip Deal or No Deal Monday-Friday.
A former journalist, he worked for newspapers in Western Australia before joining Seven News in Perth. He then worked for the Nine Network and Beyond Productions before returning to Seven.
Former Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner tells If:...
- 3/22/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Kitty is Not a Cat’ was commissioned by the Seven Network.
Amid ongoing debate over local content quotas, the Seven Network has threatened to halt the production of children’s programs, raising the ire of producers.
Earlier this week, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported that Seven had advised the Federal Government of its plans to halt production following the posting of $66 million half year loss.
The move follows longstanding calls from all commercial free-to-air networks for the children’s quotas to be scrapped, arguing they are outdated, restrictive and no longer serve audiences.
Seven CEO James Warburton told the Nine papers: “We’ve been clear for a long time that the children’s content quota was not a sustainable one for us and the wider commercial television industry in Australia.
“The substantial cost in producing this content, which in some instances is watched by such a low...
Amid ongoing debate over local content quotas, the Seven Network has threatened to halt the production of children’s programs, raising the ire of producers.
Earlier this week, the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age reported that Seven had advised the Federal Government of its plans to halt production following the posting of $66 million half year loss.
The move follows longstanding calls from all commercial free-to-air networks for the children’s quotas to be scrapped, arguing they are outdated, restrictive and no longer serve audiences.
Seven CEO James Warburton told the Nine papers: “We’ve been clear for a long time that the children’s content quota was not a sustainable one for us and the wider commercial television industry in Australia.
“The substantial cost in producing this content, which in some instances is watched by such a low...
- 2/27/2020
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts Paul Fletcher.
The Federal Government has committed to a staged process of media regulation reform, ultimately culminating in what it says will be a “platform-neutral regulatory framework covering both online and offline delivery of media content.”
Within its immediate focus in 2020 is looking at the content obligations on free-to-air broadcasters and whether there should be local content requirements imposed on Svod services like Netflix and Stan; a move welcomed by industry bodies such as Screen Producers Australia and networks alike.
The government has also prioritised a uniform classification framework across all media platforms and “other aspects of the policy framework to support Australian film and television content”.
As part of the first stage of reform, Screen Australia and Acma will release an options paper in early 2020 that will look at how to best support Australian stories in a modern, multi-platform environment.
The...
The Federal Government has committed to a staged process of media regulation reform, ultimately culminating in what it says will be a “platform-neutral regulatory framework covering both online and offline delivery of media content.”
Within its immediate focus in 2020 is looking at the content obligations on free-to-air broadcasters and whether there should be local content requirements imposed on Svod services like Netflix and Stan; a move welcomed by industry bodies such as Screen Producers Australia and networks alike.
The government has also prioritised a uniform classification framework across all media platforms and “other aspects of the policy framework to support Australian film and television content”.
As part of the first stage of reform, Screen Australia and Acma will release an options paper in early 2020 that will look at how to best support Australian stories in a modern, multi-platform environment.
The...
- 12/12/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
‘Packed to the Rafters.’
Seven Studios is preparing to revive Packed to the Rafters, the first Australian drama commission by Amazon Prime Video.
Bevan Lee, who created the family comedy-drama which ran for six seasons on the Seven Network, is overseeing the reboot which is in pre-production.
Katherine Thomson is among the writing team and there will potentially be three series, each six episodes, If understands.
Virtually all members of the original cast including Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, Ryan Corr, Jessica McNamee, Angus McLaren and James Stewart are returning, If believes.
Yet to be announced, the deal for the new series which has the working title Back to the Rafters was first mooted in September.
Amazon Prime has also acquired the streaming rights to the original series which was produced by Jo Porter for Seven Productions. The two hour finale in 2013, which saw Dave and Julie...
Seven Studios is preparing to revive Packed to the Rafters, the first Australian drama commission by Amazon Prime Video.
Bevan Lee, who created the family comedy-drama which ran for six seasons on the Seven Network, is overseeing the reboot which is in pre-production.
Katherine Thomson is among the writing team and there will potentially be three series, each six episodes, If understands.
Virtually all members of the original cast including Rebecca Gibney, Erik Thomson, Hugh Sheridan, Jessica Marais, Ryan Corr, Jessica McNamee, Angus McLaren and James Stewart are returning, If believes.
Yet to be announced, the deal for the new series which has the working title Back to the Rafters was first mooted in September.
Amazon Prime has also acquired the streaming rights to the original series which was produced by Jo Porter for Seven Productions. The two hour finale in 2013, which saw Dave and Julie...
- 10/31/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
‘Between Two Worlds.’
When James Warburton was appointed CEO of Seven West Media succeeding Tim Worner he vowed to revitalise the Seven Network’s entertainment programming, focusing primarily on Sunday-Thursday primetime.
Warburton looks like delivering on that promise next year with a raft of initiatives including refreshes for My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, Endemol Shine Australia’s action-drama Rfds and Cjz’s four-part investigation of the disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The line-up includes Esa’s revival of Big Brother, Screentime’s endurance competition Sas: Who Dares Wins, Eureka Productions’ extreme mini-golf competition Mega Mini Golf and Seven Studios’ Plate of Origin, billed as the “Olympics of cooking.”
Fremantle and Eureka will co-produce a new version of Farmer Wants a Wife, a format which previously aired on the Nine Network, while Fremantle’s Australia’s Got Talent has been renewed for a second season.
“I’ve been clear...
When James Warburton was appointed CEO of Seven West Media succeeding Tim Worner he vowed to revitalise the Seven Network’s entertainment programming, focusing primarily on Sunday-Thursday primetime.
Warburton looks like delivering on that promise next year with a raft of initiatives including refreshes for My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, Endemol Shine Australia’s action-drama Rfds and Cjz’s four-part investigation of the disappearance of British backpacker Peter Falconio.
The line-up includes Esa’s revival of Big Brother, Screentime’s endurance competition Sas: Who Dares Wins, Eureka Productions’ extreme mini-golf competition Mega Mini Golf and Seven Studios’ Plate of Origin, billed as the “Olympics of cooking.”
Fremantle and Eureka will co-produce a new version of Farmer Wants a Wife, a format which previously aired on the Nine Network, while Fremantle’s Australia’s Got Talent has been renewed for a second season.
“I’ve been clear...
- 10/23/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Seven West Media CEO James Warburton.
Seven West Media is set to merge with regional television affiliate Prime Media.
If successful, Seven hopes the merger will establish the company as the leading wholly-owned commercial network, with potential to reach over 90 per cent of the population across metro and regional Australia, and the ability to offer a single advertising platform.
The merger is a 100 per cent scrip-based prime scheme of arrangement; that is, where shares are offered in place of cash. It is proposed that Prime shareholders will receive 0.4582 Seven West Media shares for each Prime share that they hold.
Following completion of the transaction, existing Seven West Media shareholders will own 90 per cent of the combined entity, with Prime shareholders holding the remaining 10 per cent.
The move is also designed to help strength Seven’s balance sheet and help lift it out of debt – the network reported a full-year loss of $444.5 million in August.
Seven West Media is set to merge with regional television affiliate Prime Media.
If successful, Seven hopes the merger will establish the company as the leading wholly-owned commercial network, with potential to reach over 90 per cent of the population across metro and regional Australia, and the ability to offer a single advertising platform.
The merger is a 100 per cent scrip-based prime scheme of arrangement; that is, where shares are offered in place of cash. It is proposed that Prime shareholders will receive 0.4582 Seven West Media shares for each Prime share that they hold.
Following completion of the transaction, existing Seven West Media shareholders will own 90 per cent of the combined entity, with Prime shareholders holding the remaining 10 per cent.
The move is also designed to help strength Seven’s balance sheet and help lift it out of debt – the network reported a full-year loss of $444.5 million in August.
- 10/18/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
James Warburton.
The Seven Network will appoint a chief content officer as part of sweeping changes being undertaken by freshly-appointed CEO James Warburton.
It is understood that Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty and Seven director of network programming Angus Ross will report to the newly-created position, which has yet to be filled.
Warburton made an internal announcement to staff today outlining his initial restructure which will see the CEO’s direct reports reduced from 17 executives to eight.
Warburton said in a statement: “With the new organisational structure, we have focused on simplifying the Swm (Seven West Media) organisation to enable our content led growth strategy. This new flatter structure will cement our position as Australia’s leading media group with content at the heart of the business, digital growth maximised, duplication of roles removed in all areas and operating efficiencies implemented.”
The currently vacant roles of chief marketing officer and...
The Seven Network will appoint a chief content officer as part of sweeping changes being undertaken by freshly-appointed CEO James Warburton.
It is understood that Seven Studios CEO Therese Hegarty and Seven director of network programming Angus Ross will report to the newly-created position, which has yet to be filled.
Warburton made an internal announcement to staff today outlining his initial restructure which will see the CEO’s direct reports reduced from 17 executives to eight.
Warburton said in a statement: “With the new organisational structure, we have focused on simplifying the Swm (Seven West Media) organisation to enable our content led growth strategy. This new flatter structure will cement our position as Australia’s leading media group with content at the heart of the business, digital growth maximised, duplication of roles removed in all areas and operating efficiencies implemented.”
The currently vacant roles of chief marketing officer and...
- 10/2/2019
- by jkeast
- IF.com.au
Australia’s Seven West Media, the parent company of top-rated broadcaster Seven Network, will look at possible mergers and partnerships with such rivals as News Corp. to transform itself, new CEO James Warburton said Tuesday as the company swung to a full-year loss amid writedowns of the value of its TV licenses and newspaper assets.
The company posted a full fiscal-year loss of $301 million (Aus$444 million) due to having to write down the value of its TV licenses and newspaper assets. The company had recorded a Aus$133.7 million profit in the year-ago period.
Revenue for the financial ...
The company posted a full fiscal-year loss of $301 million (Aus$444 million) due to having to write down the value of its TV licenses and newspaper assets. The company had recorded a Aus$133.7 million profit in the year-ago period.
Revenue for the financial ...
- 8/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Former Network Ten CEO James Warburton was named CEO and managing director of Australia's Seven West Media following the surprise resignation of Tim Worner, the company announced Friday.
Worner has been with the Seven Network, the country’s top-rated commercial TV broadcaster for 25 years and spent the last six years as CEO of its parent company, Seven West Media. Warburton was a longtime sales chief at Seven, before being poached to become CEO of Network Ten under Lachlan Murdoch’s tenure in 2012. Warburton held that position for just 13 months. He subsequently served as CEO of ...
Worner has been with the Seven Network, the country’s top-rated commercial TV broadcaster for 25 years and spent the last six years as CEO of its parent company, Seven West Media. Warburton was a longtime sales chief at Seven, before being poached to become CEO of Network Ten under Lachlan Murdoch’s tenure in 2012. Warburton held that position for just 13 months. He subsequently served as CEO of ...
- 8/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Tim Worner.
Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner has resigned after 25 years with the Seven Network, succeeded immediately by James Warburton.
Today’s announcement was not unexpected by some Seven staffers but the instant handover was a surprise.
The Seven Network’s revenues and ratings have declined this year, particularly in the 7.30 pm slot with My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, and Swm’s share price is languishing.
Warburton was chief digital and sales officer of Swm until being poached to run the Ten network in 2011, prompting a legal battle between the two broadcasters over his non-compete period. He was sacked by the Ten board after little more than a year in the role, succeeded by Hamish McLennan.
Last year he was appointed CEO of Apn Outdoor after a four-year stint running V8 Supercars, where he oversaw the broadcast rights deal between Foxtel and Ten. He departed Apn Outdoor after...
Seven West Media CEO Tim Worner has resigned after 25 years with the Seven Network, succeeded immediately by James Warburton.
Today’s announcement was not unexpected by some Seven staffers but the instant handover was a surprise.
The Seven Network’s revenues and ratings have declined this year, particularly in the 7.30 pm slot with My Kitchen Rules and House Rules, and Swm’s share price is languishing.
Warburton was chief digital and sales officer of Swm until being poached to run the Ten network in 2011, prompting a legal battle between the two broadcasters over his non-compete period. He was sacked by the Ten board after little more than a year in the role, succeeded by Hamish McLennan.
Last year he was appointed CEO of Apn Outdoor after a four-year stint running V8 Supercars, where he oversaw the broadcast rights deal between Foxtel and Ten. He departed Apn Outdoor after...
- 8/16/2019
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
SYDNEY -- Kerry Packer's Nine Network still makes the most money from advertising in Australia's free-to-air television market, but Kerry Stokes' rival Seven is nipping at the dominant network's heels, according to figures released Monday. The market grew 6.49% overall in the first half of the year, said commercial terrestrial networks' trade body Free TV Australia, with advertising revenue for metropolitan commercial TV networks rising year-on-year to almost AUS$1.28 billion ($970 million) between Jan. 1 and June 30. The Sydney and Brisbane markets were particularly buoyant, up 8.9% and 8% respectively. While Nine claimed the highest revenue share overall, Seven experienced revenue growth more than double that of the highly profitable Ten network. Ratings winners such as Desperate Housewives and Lost helped Seven increase its share or revenue from 29.9% to 31.4% while Nine dropped from 40% to 38.5 and Ten edged from 30% to a 30.14% share. Seven's director of sales James Warburton said in a statement: "Seven has always focused on delivering outcomes for our clients. Our stunning audience delivery in the first half of this year clearly underpins our revenue growth -- and we're looking forward to the coming half of the year and further building our share."...
- 7/25/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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