The first Sunday Times newspaper to be published under ownership of Seven West Media will be printed later this month, after purchase contracts were officially signed today.
The first Sunday Times newspaper to be published under ownership of Seven West Media will be printed later this month, after purchase contracts were officially signed today.
Seven West, which owns The West Australian newspaper, said it had finalised the purchase of The Sunday Times and PerthNow website from News Corporation in a deal that still has an undisclosed price tag.
The deal is expected to be completed by early next week.
Seven West and News Corp will also build on a news content sharing agreement for The West Australian with News Corp’s daily brands and mastheads in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and the Northern Territory, and online.
News Corp will represent The Sunday Times and PerthNow advertising in the east coast markets.
“Seven West and News Corp are also joint venture partners in the Community Newspaper Group in Western Australia,” Seven West said.
“Under the agreement, West Australian Newspapers will print and distribute The Australian and also Community Newspapers titles in the Western Australian market.
“The first edition of The Sunday Times under Seven West Media ownership will be on November 20.”
Seven West will expand its publishing and printing from six days to seven days a week, with PerthNow to join Seven West’s existing digital platform.
Michael Beach, who is deputy editor of The West Australian, will become the new editor of The Sunday Times.
Seven West chief executive Tim Worner said the group was proud to have The Sunday Times and PerthNow as part of the company.
“We have a deep and strong connection with Western Australia through Channel Seven and The West and our regional affiliates Prime,” he said.
“We look forward – as the new custodians of one of News Corporation’s first acquisitions - to a positive future for both The Sunday Times and PerthNow as part of the WAN group and are committed to ensuring both continue to resonate with the people of Western Australia.
“Our acquisition allows us to compete against the increasing presence of global content and we are determined to be the company that reflects the lives of all Western Australians.”
Herbert Smith Freehills advised Seven West Media on the purchase, Clayton Utz advised on competition law aspects, and Allens advised News Corp.
