Australia - Shakeup of the media landscape - 2008

Synopsis

This report has been archived. In January 2008 Lachlan Murdoch launched a new media initiative in Australia that could finally have shaken up the cosy and sleepy Australian media market. In a joint $3.3 billion deal, that also involves James Packer, we could have seen a new approach to the media assets of Nine Network, Foxtel, FoxSport, PBL Media and Seek. In April 2008, however Lachlan Murdoch called off his planned joint venture with James Packer, made on his part by his private company Illyria. Lachlan had trouble raising the money he needed after major backer SPO Partners pulled out in March 2008. This report however provides an interesting overview and analysis of this and places it within the wider context of media developments in the Australian landscape.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. The Murdoch- Packer deal
  • 2.1 The deal is called off
  • 2.2 Background to the deal
• 3. Historical Analysis of the consequences of the deal
  • 3.1 Will Lachlan finally shake up the stagnant Aussie media industry?
  • 3.2 Government was never in charge
  • 3.3 James hasn’t his heart in media
  • 3.4 The Seven Network
  • 3.5 Telstra
  • 3.6 Foxtel
  • 3.7 Lots of work ahead of him
  • 3.8 Most profound changes since 1950s
  • 3.9 One.Tel
  • 3.10 The way forward
• 4. Related reports

• Exhibit 1 – Murdoch – Packer deal structure and pblMedia structure