ARN Media Ltd., formerly Here, There & Everywhere and APN News & Media, is an Australian media company. Divisions include broadcast radio and Out-of-home advertising.[1] The company previously had assets in New Zealand,[2] and previously owned Adshel, APN Outdoor and Gfinity eSports in Australia.[3][4] Its commercial radio stations include the Pure Gold, KIIS Network, CADA, ARN Regional and iHeartRadio brands.
 | |
| Formerly | Australian Radio Network Here, There & Everywhere APN News & Media |
|---|---|
| Company type | Public |
| ASX: A1N | |
| Industry | Outdoor advertising Radio Broadcasting |
| Headquarters | , |
Number of locations | 33 markets |
Area served | Australia, Hong Kong |
| Services | Radio: KIIS Network Pure Gold Network ARN Regional CADA Digital media: iHeartRadio |
| Revenue | A$252.7m |
| A$54.6m | |
| Website | www |
The company operates the ARN News service in Australia, which uses international correspondents and source news stories from AAP in Australia, CNN from the United States and Sky News and Independent Radio News from the United Kingdom. ARN has newsrooms in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Adelaide.
Originally ARN was a joint venture of APN News & Media and iHeartMedia (formerly Clear Channel). On 19 February 2014, it was reported that APN News & Media had agreed to purchase Clear Channel's 50% stake in the ARN.[5] As a result, ARN is now fully owned by ARN Media. The company continues to operate the Australian version of iHeartRadio.[6]
Until 2014, ARN also included New Zealand radio networks Newstalk ZB, Classic Hits FM, ZM, Radio Sport, Radio Hauraki, Easy Mix, Flava and Coast under umbrella company The Radio Network. These are now part of the New Zealand Media and Entertainment.
In August 2021, the company removed the words 'Australian Radio Network' from its name, now being known as simply ARN.[7] Three months later, in November 2021, Here, There & Everywhere, ARN's parent company, purchased Grant Broadcasters, who intend to integrate it with its own business by January 2022.[8][9][10] The deal was finalised on 4 January 2022.[11]
Having already acquired a 15% stake in Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) earlier in the year, in October 2023 ARN launched a takeover offer for SCA in partnership with Anchorage Capital Partners. To satisfy Australian Communications & Media Authority regulations that allow one party to only own two radio stations in one market, in capital cities ARN would add the Triple M network to the KIIS Network, while Anchorage Capital Partners would control the Hit and Pure Gold networks.[12][13]
In 2015, HT&E's two largest shareholders were the Australian fund manager Allan Gray Australia and News Corp Australia.[14] Irish company Independent News & Media and Denis O'Brien's Baycliffe held an approximately 30% stake in the company before selling it in March 2015.[15]
History
edit
Here, There & Everywhere had its origins in Provincial Newspapers (PN), a listed company that published regional newspapers in New South Wales and Queensland. The Herald & Weekly Times, which owned a significant proportion of PNQ, was taken over by News Limited in 1987. To comply with an order of the Trade Practices Commission, News Limited was required to sell its PN shares. The 48% stake in PN was acquired in 1988 by interests associated with the family of Tony O'Reilly, the principal shareholder of Independent Newspapers of Ireland.[16]
The company was renamed Australian Provincial Newspapers Holdings and listed again on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1992 following a public share issue, and in 1998 the name was changed to APN News & Media.[17]
In 2001, HT&E acquired 25% of Soprano Design. Later going on to acquire steaks in Conversant Media and Unbnd Group. These acquisitions have been listed every year in their financial reports. Soprano Design was valued at over A$500 million in November 2019, giving HT&E over A$125m in equity.[3] Following Soprano's acquisition of SilverStreet Intl in December 2020, Analysts have stated that Soprano Design could be worth upward of $1 billion.
In June 2016, the company completed the demerger of its New Zealand radio and publishing business, New Zealand Media and Entertainment.[18] However, the company maintained a presence in New Zealand via its outdoor advertising business, Adshel NZ.[19] Also in 2016, the company announced it would sell its regional newspaper division, Australian Regional Media, to News Corp Australia for $36.6 million.[20] The deal was reviewed but not opposed by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission.[21] The sale of ARM, encompassing APN's remaining newspaper assets, was completed in December 2016.[22]
APN News & Media Limited changed its name to HT&E Limited in May 2017, changing its ASX Listing Code to HT1.[23]
In June 2018, oOh!media purchased street furniture business Adshel for A$570 million from HT&E, in a competitive bidding war against rival (and former HT&E subsidiary) APN Outdoor.[24][25]
In January 2023, the company sold its 25% stake in communications firm Soprano.[26] In May 2023, Here, There & Everywhere was renamed ARN Media.[27][28] In June 2023, ARN acquired a 15% shareholding in major competitor Southern Cross Austereo.[29] In October 2023, ARN launched a takeover offer for SCA in partnership with Anchorage Capital Partners. To satisfy Australian Communications & Media Authority regulations that allow one party to only own two radio stations in one market, in capital cities ARN would own the KIIS and Triple M networks, while Anchorage Capital Partners would control the Hit and Pure Gold networks.[29][30] The deal collapsed after Anchorage withdrew.[31]
Assets
editThis section contains promotional content. (August 2024) |
ARN operates 58 radio stations, targeting the 25-to-54-year-old demographic. These stations include
- the top 40 (CHR), adult contemporary, and active rock-formatted KIIS Network
- the classic hits and oldies-formatted Pure Gold Network
- the rhythmic top 40 and urban contemporary-formatted CADA
- joint venture stations Mix 106.3 and Hit104.7 in Canberra with Southern Cross Austereo
- other radio stations via DAB+ digital radio and iHeartRadio
- 46 radio stations acquired from Grant Broadcasters
KIIS Network
editA vibrant network alive with influential personalities who energise, engage and excite, immersing audiences in the best music their city has to offer.
| Callsign | Frequency | Branding | Location | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1CBR | 106.3 MHz FM 107.1 MHz FM (repeater)0 |
Mix 106.3 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Adult contemporary | Joint venture with Southern Cross Austereo Formerly Kix 106 |
| 2WFM | 106.5 MHz FM | KIIS 106.5 | Sydney, New South Wales | Top 40 (CHR) | Formerly 2UW and Mix 106.5 |
| 3TTT | 101.1 MHz FM | KIIS 101.1 | Melbourne, Victoria | Top 40 (CHR) | Formerly 3DB, 3TT, TTFM and Mix 101.1 |
| 4BFM | 097.3 MHz FM | KIIS 97.3 | Brisbane, Queensland | Adult contemporary | Joint venture with Nova Entertainment Formerly 97.3FM |
| 5ADD | 102.3 MHz FM 096.7 MHz FM (repeater) |
Mix 102.3 | Adelaide, South Australia | Adult contemporary | Formerly 5DN, Radio 102FM and 5AD FM |
| 6NOW | 096.1 MHz FM | 96FM | Perth, Western Australia | Adult contemporary | Formerly Triple M |
Pure Gold Network
editAn iconic network making audiences feel young, positive and full of life, immersing listeners with the Pure Gold hits they know and love.
| Callsign | Frequency | Branding | Location | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2UUS | 101.7 MHz FM 088.3 MHz FM 099.1 MHz FM |
101.7 WSFM | Sydney, New South Wales | Oldies | Formerly 2WS |
| 3KKZ | 104.3 MHz FM | Gold 104.3 | Melbourne, Victoria | Oldies | Formerly 3KZ and KZFM |
| 5DN | 1323 kHz AM | Cruise 1323 | Adelaide, South Australia | Oldies | Formerly 5AD, Radio 1323 and SEN 1323 |
Other stations
edit| Callsign | Frequency | Branding | Location | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2ONE | 096.1 MHz FM | CADA | Katoomba, New South Wales | Rhythmic top 40 Urban contemporary |
Formerly 2KA, OneFM and The Edge 96.ONE |
| 2ROC | 104.7 MHz FM 100.7 MHz FM |
Hit104.7 | Canberra, Australian Capital Territory | Top 40 (CHR) | Joint venture with Southern Cross Austereo |
| 6PER | 93.7 MHz FM | Nova 93.7 | Perth, Western Australia | Top 40 (CHR) | Joint venture with Nova Entertainment |
Digital radio
editARN also broadcasts a number of digital only radio stations.[32]
| Branding | Frequency | Location | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemist Warehouse Remix | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
Adult contemporary | |
| The '80s | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
1980s music | WSFM 80s Sydney Gold 80s Melbourne KIIS 80s Brisbane Mix 80s Adelaide 96FM 80s Perth |
| The '90s | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
1990s music | KIIS 90s Sydney KIIS 90s Melbourne KIIS 90s Brisbane Mix 90s Adelaide |
| CADA | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
Rhythmic top 40 Urban contemporary |
Former stations
edit| Branding | Frequency | Location | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4BH | 1116kHz AM | Brisbane, Queensland | Easy listening | Sold to Nova Entertainment in 2002[33] |
| 4KQ | 693kHz AM | Brisbane, Queensland | Classic Hits | Sold to Sports Entertainment Network in 2022 |
| PureCountry | Online streaming | Worldwide, based in Sydney | Country music | Closed in 2009 |
| KseraRadio.com | Online streaming | Worldwide, based in Sydney | Rhythmic top 40 Urban contemporary |
Closed |
| Classic Hits Live | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
Classic hits | Replaced by Pure Gold '80s in 2010 |
| Classic Hits Plus | DAB+ block 9B (VHF, Sydney and Melbourne) DAB+ block 9A (VHF, Brisbane and Adelaide) |
Sydney, New South Wales Melbourne, Victoria Brisbane, Queensland Adelaide, South Australia |
Classic hits | Replaced by Pure Gold '90s in 2010 |
Outdoor/Advertising
editReferences
edit- ^ "HT&E Launches new division HT&E events, Announces joint venture with Gfinity plc and IKON Media & Entertainment to launch Australia's first city-based esports franchise league" (PDF). HT&E Market Announcement to ASX. 7 August 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 March 2018.
- ^ Tarr, Sophie (22 March 2011). "Natural disasters hit APN News & Media". Pacific Area Newspaper Publishers’ Association. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2011.
- ^ a b "HT&E 2017 Annual Report" (PDF). ASX. 15 February 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 March 2018.
- ^ "Gfinity Esports Australia to cease operations in November". esportsinsider.com. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "APN confirms ARN & TRN buyout". 18 February 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "iHeartRadio – ARN – Australian Radio Network". Retrieved 21 September 2014.
- ^ "The Australian Radio Network is no more, as company rebrands to just 'ARN'". Radio Today. 1 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
- ^ HTE buys Grand Broadcasters and will merge it with ARN network Mediaweek 12 November 2021
- ^ ARN's parent company acquires Grant Broadcasters Mumbrella 12 November 2021
- ^ HT&E to acquire Grant Broadcasters for $307.5m Archived 3 December 2021 at the Wayback Machine Lending Association 12 November 2021
- ^ Grant Broadcasters sale completed Radio Today Australia 5 January 2022
- ^ Notice of initial substantial holder ARN Media 21 June 2023
- ^ Non-binding Indicative Proposal to Acquire SCA ARN 18 October 2023
- ^ "Investor Relations - APN". investorcentre.apn.com.au. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "UPDATED: News Corp buys APN stake in share sale". Archived from the original on 3 August 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ Kirkpatrick 1994, p. 111.
- ^ "APN News & Media Limited". List of companies. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ NZME Demerger Implemented Archived 21 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine APN Market Announcement to ASX, 29 June 2016
- ^ APN Retains Ownership of Adshel NZ Archived 21 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine APN Market Announcement to ASX, 28 November 2016
- ^ "APN chairman lauds 'milestone' $36.6m News deal". NewsMediaWorks. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
- ^ ACCC will not oppose News Corporation's proposed acquisition of APN's Regional Media Division Archived 15 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine Australian Competition & Consumer Commission 8 December 2016
- ^ APN Completes Sale of ARM Archived 20 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine APN Market Announcement to ASX, 28 December 2017
- ^ Change of Company Name and ASX Listing Code Archived 20 March 2018 at the Wayback Machine APN Market Announcement to ASX, 5 May 2017
- ^ Kelly, Vivienne (23 June 2018). "Ooh Media to purchase HT&E's Adshel for $570 million". Mumbrella. Archived from the original on 23 June 2018. Retrieved 23 June 2018.
- ^ "Adshel NZ sale confirmed". M+AD! - NZ Media & Advertising News Daily. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- ^ HTE sells its stake in communications technology company Soprano RadioToday 4 January 2023
- ^ Change of company name and ticker code ARN Media 18 May 2023
- ^ HT&E rebrands to ARN Media following shareholder vote Mumbrella 18 May 2023
- ^ a b "Notice of initial substantial holder". ARN Media. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ "Non-binding Indicative Proposal to Acquire SCA" (PDF). ARN Media. 18 October 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
- ^ ARN throws a Hail Mary to revive collapsed radio merger Australian Financial Review 13 May 2024
- ^ ARN Digital-radio Archived 10 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Marriner, Cosima (25 January 2002). "FM partner buys 4BH from ARN". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
- ^ "About Us". cody.com.hk. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
- ^ "Home - Emotive". emotive.com.au. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
Bibliography
edit- Kirkpatrick, Rod (1994). "Six dynasties that ended with a whimper: the end of the PNQ" (PDF). Australian Studies in Journalism (3): 109–129. Retrieved 14 August 2016.