Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is home to several entertainment companies, but the largest Australian-owned entertainment company is a matter of debate. One source cites Nine Entertainment Company (NEC) as the country's largest media company, while others mention Zone Bowling, owned and operated by The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG), and Strike Bowling Bar, which owns and operates over 20 venues across the country, as significant players in the industry. Other notable mentions include Holey Moley, owned by Funlab, and Intencity Family Entertainment Centres, owned by Village Roadshow Limited.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Nine Entertainment Company (NEC) |
| Type of company | Media company |
| Stake in the company | Nine Entertainment owns 51.1% |
| Chief Executive | Hugh Marks |
| Chairman | Nine Chairman |
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What You'll Learn
Nine Entertainment Company
Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited is an Australian publicly listed company with holdings in mass media, radio and television broadcasting, publishing, and digital media. The company's roots can be traced back to 1956, and it was founded on 16 October 2006. It is largely a successor to the former Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), which was established by the Packer family. The Packers ended their involvement with the company in 2008, and its name was changed to Nine in 2010.
Nine Entertainment's business portfolio comprises the Nine Network, Nine Events, and Nine Digital and Ventures. The Nine Network owns free-to-air television licenses in the capital cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, as well as in regional Northern New South Wales and Darwin. The Nine Events is a live events business that includes Ticketek. The Nine Digital and Ventures operates Mi9.
The company has had a number of notable appointments and changes in its leadership over the years. In December 2011, former McDonald's Australia chief executive Peter Bush was appointed chairman. In February 2013, David Haslingden, previously President and Chief Operating Officer of Fox Networks Group, was appointed to the Board as an independent non-executive director and chairman. In November 2015, Hugh Marks was appointed as CEO, replacing David Gyngell, who remained on the board. In February 2016, Peter Costello was appointed chair. In November 2020, Hugh Marks resigned from the Nine Network after revealing he was in a relationship with a former colleague. In March 2021, Mike Sneesby was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer.
Nine Entertainment has also undergone several mergers and acquisitions. In 2014, Nine Entertainment Co. founded the online streaming company Stan with Fairfax Media, investing $50 million into the joint venture. In October 2015, the WIN Corporation purchased a 14% stake in Nine Entertainment Co. In July 2018, Nine Entertainment Co. and Fairfax Media announced a merger agreement, which was finalised in December 2018, making them Australia's largest media company. As a result of the merger, Nine's brands and investments expanded across television, video on demand, print, digital, radio, and real estate classifieds.
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The Entertainment and Education Group (TEEG)
TEEG's Zone Bowling is a great venue for social gatherings, corporate events, and children's parties. The bowling centres offer a range of entertainment options, including bowling lanes, arcade games, and food and beverage options. The company also provides party packages that include bowling games, shoe rentals, invitations, and party favours, making it a convenient and enjoyable option for hosting celebrations.
In addition to bowling, TEEG has expanded its entertainment offerings over the years. They have diversified their portfolio by investing in various entertainment segments. TEEG has ventured into the animation and visual effects industry with Plastic Wax, an Australian studio that specialises in pre-rendered CG for video games, films, and television. This expansion showcases the company's commitment to innovation and its ability to adapt to emerging trends in the entertainment sector.
TEEG's acquisition of Plastic Wax aligns with the growing demand for animated content and visual effects in the media and entertainment industry. Plastic Wax's expertise in creating pre-rendered CG content enhances TEEG's capabilities in developing immersive and visually captivating experiences for audiences. This strategic move positions TEEG to capitalise on the increasing popularity of animated and visual effects-driven content, solidifying its position as a leading player in the Australian entertainment landscape.
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Funlab
In addition to their physical venues, Funlab has expanded into the gaming accessories market with the FUNLAB Controller Official Store. Their controllers, compatible with Nintendo Switch, feature comfortable designs, amazing lights, and an official feel. Funlab is dedicated to enhancing gamers' experiences, developing new, fun, and powerful accessories that make a positive impact on their customers' gaming lives.
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Village Roadshow Limited
Village Roadshow, an Australian entertainment company, has been in the business since 1954. It started as Village Drive-Ins, a drive-in cinema in the Melbourne suburb of Croydon, founded by Roc Kirby. The company later expanded into traditional cinemas and, in 1968, began distributing films through a joint venture with Greater Union. In 1971, they moved into film production with the establishment of Hexagon Productions. Over the years, Village Roadshow has been at the forefront of innovating the cinema experience, introducing stadium-style seating, advanced sound systems, and cutting-edge projection technologies in the 1980s.
The company has grown to become a major player in the industry, with a hand in operating cinemas and theme parks, as well as producing and distributing films. In 2003, Village Roadshow and Amalgamated Holdings Limited, the owners of Greater Union, formed a joint venture called Australian Theatres. They also merged with the Concord Music Group to leverage their film and music assets.
In 2019, long-time CEO Graham Burke stepped down, passing the baton to Clark Kirby, the founder's grandson. A year later, in 2020, Village Roadshow entered discussions with BGH Capital, a private equity firm, about a potential takeover. As of 2023, the company is known as Village Roadshow Pty Limited, reflecting its shift from being listed on the ASX.
Village Roadshow has come a long way from its drive-in cinema roots, and its journey showcases the evolution of the entertainment industry in Australia. The company has demonstrated a knack for adapting to changing trends, from the rise of multiplexes to the latest in film technology, ensuring its place as one of the country's leading entertainment companies.
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Silver's Circus
Silvers Circus, a modern circus with a twist, has been a household name in Australia since the 1970s. The name was inspired by a neon sign outside a Sydney restaurant, 'The Silver Grill'. The circus was founded by Mervyn King, an orphan who was given to St. Leons Circus at the age of seven. He became one of Australia's best-known circus performers, renowned for his skills as an animal trainer and acrobat.
King took the stage name of Alwyn Silver and, together with financial and technical support from the Hardies, Silvers Circus was born. Within five years, it had become Australia's largest road show, touring every state on the Australian mainland. Silvers Circus was known for its organisation, aesthetics, and popularity. It was the first circus to cross the Nullarbor by road, a challenging journey at the time due to the poor condition of the track.
However, the original Silvers Circus was dissolved in 1953 when King sold it, as he viewed the rising popularity of television as a threat to the circus industry. In hindsight, King admitted that the sale was premature, as television didn't significantly impact Australian rural life until the 1960s. Nevertheless, the legacy of Silvers Circus lived on, and the name continued to travel across Australia, with other companies reviving the name in subsequent years. Today, Silvers Circus has been reimagined with a modern twist, continuing to entertain audiences and uphold its longstanding reputation in the Australian entertainment industry.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest Australian-owned entertainment company is Nine Entertainment Company (NEC). It was formed after Nine Entertainment merged with Fairfax Media in 2019, taking a controlling 51.1% stake in the newly merged company.
Fairfax Media owned newspapers and magazines and operated digital and syndication businesses.
Nine Entertainment operates the Nine Network.
