"We fit together exceptionally well" - Kerry Stokes talks up the SCA merger in his last Seven West Media AGM as Chairman

Seven West Media AGM and Merger Update

On November 6, Seven West Media held its AGM and trading update. This marked Kerry Stokes' final meeting as Chairman before the anticipated merger with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA). The company reported its first EBITDA growth since FY22, although total television advertising revenue declined.

Kerry Stokes on Sports Access and AFL Scheduling

Stokes emphasized the importance of Australians maintaining free access to sports content. He also criticized the AFL's scheduling, which he said had negatively impacted audience numbers.

Comments on the Pending Merger

“We fit together exceptionally well, a seamless combination of high-value brands across free-to-air television, streaming, audio, digital and publishing assets.”

Stokes expressed confidence in the merger, highlighting the complementary nature of the two organisations’ assets.

CEO Jeff Howard's Perspective

“Bringing together the complementary assets and brands of Seven West Media and Southern Cross will create a truly national, diversified media organisation, one with extensive scale and reach across free-to-air television, streaming, audio, digital and publishing assets. The possibilities will bring a new energy to Seven West Media.”

Howard, who is expected to lead the merged company as CEO, outlined the benefits of combining the two entities’ strengths.

Summary

The merger aims to create a powerful, national media group with broad reach across multiple platforms while ensuring continued free public access to sports content.

Author's Summary

The forthcoming merger between Seven West Media and Southern Cross Austereo promises a unified, national media powerhouse, enhancing content access and operational scale across diverse platforms.

radioinfo — 2025-11-06