AFL rights talks to be brought forward
According to the Australian Financial Review, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan is seeking to bring forward negotiations for a broadcast deal which could run out to 2027.
The paper reported that Foxtel could be notified "within weeks" of the formal opening of negotiations, although it is thought McLachlan has been in touch with network heads in recent weeks.
Speculation on the deal's worth has run up to $3 billion over ten years, with the current deal worth $1.25 billion over five years.
The new deal would begin after the current rights expire in 2016.
Nine seeks 40% with merger
The merging of Nine's digital and commercial sales operations into the one team is being pitched as a key step on the road toward 40% market share.
The Australian reports Nine's group sales and marketing director Peter Wiltshire said a 40% share is being seen as a benchmark.
"The obsession is to, one, make sure our revenue share is greater than our audience shar, that's the first box," Wiltshire was quoted as saying.
"The second box: get us to 40. If we beat Seven at some point in the future, that's a really nice byproduct of the other two factors, but it's not something we stay awake at night for."
Ten sale gets closer
Providence Equity Partners has appointed Deutsche Bank to run due dilligence on a possible bid for Network Ten.
The Australian Financial Review has reported the Ten is open to a bid, with PEP piling in after ITV and Viacom showed interest in recent times.
The paper also reported Foxtel may be open to a minority share of Ten in a joint bid with PEP.
Julian Clarke to keep rolling
News Corporation Australia's chief executive Julian Clarke has been given the role for at least another year.
He was given the role in August last year, having been lured out of retirement by Rupert Murdoc, as he brought an end to Kim Williams' stewardship.
In an interview with Fairfax, Clarke said that he definitely wouldn't be in the role longer-term, and he was starting to identify talent that could take up the mantle.
Names tipped to take over when Clarke departs include REA chief Peter Tonagh and Foxtel's Richard Freudenstein.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.