News Corp acquires Shine group
News Corporation will acquire 100% of the Shine Group, helmed by Elisabeth Murdoch in a deal worth £415 million.
- Published by David Knox
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Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation will acquire 100% of the Shine Group, helmed by daughter Elisabeth Murdoch, in a deal worth £415 million ($A667m.
Shine, which also owns Kudos Film and Television, Princess Productions, Reveille, Dragonfly and Firefly, has such titles as MasterChef, The Biggest Loser, Merlin, Spooks, Hustle, Life on Mars, One Born Every Minute, Jamie’s Fowl Dinners, The Family, The Office, The Tudors, Ugly Betty and more.
Elisabeth Murdoch will join the News Corp board but will remain in charge at Shine, and has told colleagues that television will continue to be her “main interest”.
Elisabeth Murdoch, Chairman and CEO Shine Group said: “In a rapidly consolidating global TV industry, this alliance uniquely provides the conditions in which Shine Group can continue to lead and prosper. News Corporation is the partner that enables us to maintain our aspiration to be best in class across all our sectors, and prepares and equips us for future growth. Shine shares News Corporation’s long-standing belief in creative excellence and ambitious expansion. I could not be happier or more proud that from such modest beginnings Shine will join such an extraordinary group of companies.”
Shine Australia is steered by Mark and Carl Fennessy, both of whom have some equity in the Australian company.
Source: The Guardian
5 Responses
I think its stupid I have to live in another country in order to get a channel I want. Foxtel is a load of crap and I Never want it in my house.
A pity News Corp couldn’t bring Sky TV to Australia instead of stupid Foxtel. Im discusted that 3rd rate pay tv provider gets Austar and the horror fan gets jackshat.
Of course it goes without saying that every broadcaster realises that News is also a broadcaster and cannot access film industry subsidy through Screen Australia etc. Shine can go ahead and fully fund it’s own shows and stop trying to get SBS/ABC commissions.
I liked Tex’s “she’s a good Murdoch” comment. Just like wizards and witches, I guess, there are good and evil Murdochs…?
Interesting… Elisabeth Murdoch left News Ltd in the UK after a very public spat with Sam Chisholm, becoming an independent producer and later founding Shine. She and Shine have an enviable track record (as noted above) for producing both quality and popular TV.
Basically, she’s a good Murdoch, who really does seem to have quality TV as her aim. Let’s hope that it continues that way, and Shine can retain some degree of independence from the rest of News Ltd.