Media Ownership In Australia - 1999

Ownership of the Australian media is one of the most highly concentrated in the world.

According to Trevor Barr's book, newmedia.com.au, in 1903 there were 21 capital city daily newspapers owned by 17 independent owners.

By 1960, there were 14 daily newspapers and 7 owners. By 1999, there were 12 daily newspapers in Australia, 10 of which were owned by two organisations, News Corporation and John Fairfax Holdings. Only the West Australian and the Canberra Times are independently owned.

The following information is taken from newmedia.com.au, by Trevor Barr, (Allen & Unwin, 2000), p4.

News Corporation

(Murdoch holds about 30% of its voting stock)

Newspapers

Australian
Herald Sun
Sunday Herald Sun
Daily Telegraph
Sunday Telegraph
Advertiser
Courier-Mail
Mercury
Northern Territory News
Subscription Television

25% ownership of Foxtel Pay TV
Other

Festival Records
Mushroom Records (50%)
National Rugby League (50%)

Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd

(The Packer family holds a controlling shareholding of 35%)

Australian Consolidated Press
(wholly owned subsidiary of PBL)
Television
Nine Network
Subscription Television

25% ownership of Foxtel Pay TV
Other

Crown Casino
Hoyts Cinemas
Magazines

Bulletin
Australian Women's Weekly
Woman's Day
Cleo
Cosmopolitan
Dolly
People
Australian Personal Computer
Australian Home and Garden
Wheels

John Fairfax Holdings Ltd

Newspapers

Age
Sunday Age
Sydney Morning Herald
Australian Financial Review
Magazines

Business Review Weekly
Personal Investment
Australian Geographic
Shares

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