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
Rupert Murdoch holds about 30% of News Corporation 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
