Nine has announced that it will be returning to the WIN network for its regional partnership, striking a seven-year deal.
Nine left WIN for SCA in 2016, in a deal estimated to have cost around $500 million. After that deal, WIN partnered with 10.
SCA and Nine’s five-year contract was due to end later this year.
In an email to staff, outgoing Nine CEO Hugh Marks said that: “We have enjoyed our five-year relationship with Southern Cross Austereo (SCA) and I wish to thank them for a mutually beneficial relationship and partnership over this time.”
He also acknowledged that the change could mean job losses, saying that: “One of the impacts of the change in affiliate partner will be an impact to our regional news services which we currently provide on behalf of SCA.”
“We are aware that there will be some roles impacted as a result of this change but those impacted can be assured that Director of News and Current Affairs Darren Wick and his team are actively looking at options for redeployment for as many employees as possible.”
“Under the changes, WIN will do its local news bulletin in regional areas at 5.30 pm before taking the 6 pm state bulletin in each state. WIN will also take over sales representation for NBN from SCA.”
The WIN network is owned by Bruce Gordon, who held a stake of approximately fifteen per cent at Channel Nine before the partnership.
The Australian speculated before the deal was officially announced that this new partnership could secure him a seat on the board.
The contract is for a minimum of seven years, and will commence on 1st July 2021.
WIN will broadcast Nine’s metropolitan free-to-air content from 9, 9Go, 9Gem, and 9Life into markets such as Tasmania, regional Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland and Southern NSW.
WIN will also pay an affiliation fee of around 50 per cent of its regional revenue for Nine, and will provide airtime for promotions of Nine’s assets across regional TV and radio.
In a press statement, CEO of WIN Andrew Lancaster said, “we are pleased to be furthering our already strong relationship with Nine through this affiliation agreement.”
“Nine has clearly established itself as Australia’s leading media business and we are excited to be returning to carriage of the Nin broadcast content to our regional viewers.”
