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News Corporation sold The Sunday Times and PerthNow to Seven West Media through its subsidiary West Australian Newspapers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said on 15 September 2016 that it would not oppose the deal. Seven West Media signed the purchase contract on 7 November, completed the acquisition on 16 November, and said the first edition under its ownership would be published on 20 November 2016.
The archived PerthNow FAQ, published on 10 November 2016, explained how subscribers would be handled during that changeover. Its payment, delivery and customer-service instructions applied to the 2016 transfer; they are not current subscription guidance.
What did Seven West Media buy?
News Corporation sold The Sunday Times and PerthNow to Seven West Media through West Australian Newspapers (WAN), Seven West Media’s subsidiary. The acquisition covered the newspaper, its digital edition and the PerthNow website, along with related mastheads, domain names, websites and certain key personnel, according to Seven West Media’s FY2017 annual report.
The annual report recorded purchase consideration transferred of AUD 14.993 million. That is the amount reported by Seven West Media for the transaction, not a current valuation of the titles.
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When did the sale happen?
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 15 September 2016 | The ACCC said it would not oppose the proposed acquisition. |
| 7 November 2016 | Seven West Media announced it had signed a definitive purchase contract with News Corporation. |
| 16 November 2016 | Seven West Media’s FY2017 annual report records this as the acquisition completion date. |
| 20 November 2016 | Seven West Media said this would be the first edition under its ownership. |
The 7 November announcement also described arrangements accompanying the sale: content sharing between The West Australian and News mastheads; News Corporation representing The Sunday Times and PerthNow advertising in eastern markets; and WAN printing and distributing The Australian and Community Newspapers titles in Western Australia.
What did the ACCC decide, and why?
The ACCC concluded that the proposed acquisition was not likely to substantially lessen competition for consumers or advertisers, and said it would not oppose the transaction. Chairman Rod Sims said: “Following an extensive review, the ACCC has reached the view that the proposed acquisition is, on balance, not likely to substantially lessen competition for either consumers or advertisers.”
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In reaching its view, the ACCC considered alternatives available to Western Australian online news readers, including WAtoday and ABC News’ dedicated Western Australian website. It also consulted advertisers. The regulator reported that advertisers it spoke with were spending less on Perth print newspapers than a few years earlier and had other ways to reach audiences. Those observations describe the ACCC’s 2016 review; they are not current measurements of readership or advertising spending.
What did the 2016 subscriber FAQ say?
PerthNow published a 30-question FAQ on 10 November 2016 for subscribers affected by the transition. Its answers described expected arrangements at that time, rather than an ongoing policy.
Home delivery and prepaid subscriptions
The FAQ said home delivery was expected to continue and that WAN would contact subscribers about payment options, holiday holds and other processes. News Corp Australia was to credit WAN for prepaid delivery periods that had not yet been fulfilled. Depending on the account, subscribers might need to arrange new payment details with WAN.
Digital access and subscription plans
The FAQ said combined Australian and Sunday Times plans would no longer be offered. It also said print-and-digital bundles and digital-only options would not be immediately available after the transfer. Existing digital access was described as continuing until 30 November 2016.
Who to contact during the changeover
The FAQ divided account, delivery and customer-service questions between News Corp Australia before the transition deadline and WAN afterward. It also covered specific cases such as senior and 25-year club rates, missed deliveries, holiday holds, school newspaper orders and magazine offers. The contact routes and service details were specific to the 2016 handover, so they should not be relied on for present-day support.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who owns the titles now?
Seven West Media’s current About page says the company merged with Southern Cross Media Group in January 2026 and lists both The Sunday Times and PerthNow among its businesses. This is the company’s current description of its portfolio; it does not change the fact that the acquisition from News Corporation was completed in November 2016.
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Sources
- PerthNow’s archived subscriber FAQ, dated 10 November 2016
- ACCC decision release, 15 September 2016
- Seven West Media announcement filed with the ASX, 7 November 2016
- Seven West Media FY2017 annual report
- Seven West Media About page
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