Matt Stanton.
Nine Entertainment has struck an AI-content deal with Microsoft for an undisclosed sum.
The deal, described as the first of its kind in Australia, covers content from The Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday.
Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot will display snippets, headlines and summaries and direct users to Nine's mastheads for the full story.
"We are delighted to partner with Microsoft on this agreement," said Nine CEO Matt Stanton.
"As AI continues to evolve, the role of verified, premium journalism in grounding these outputs is essential. This collaboration is a win-win, delivering for users of AI while respecting copyright and protecting the long-term value of our intellectual property."
The deal is not Nine's first foray into AI content licensing.
Stanton revealed in February that Nine had already signed two deals with Australian corporates to license its content into their proprietary AI ecosystems.
Jane Livesey, president of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand, said trusted sources had never mattered more than now.
“AI is transforming the way Australians connect with information, and access to trustworthy sources has never mattered more,” said Livesey.
“Our agreement with Nine will ground responses from Microsoft Copilot in trusted mastheads, giving people verified facts, a clear path to the full story, and confidence in what they read.
“Forward-thinking partnerships like this show how technology and media companies can work together to ensure a thriving future for Australian journalism.”
Nine Entertainment's managing director of publishing, Tory Maguire, said the deal represented a significant milestone in the relationship between Australian media companies and AI-focused technology companies.
“I’m delighted to reach this deal that delivers for both readers of our content and users of Microsoft AI,” said Maguire.
“Microsoft has been a proactive, engaged partner who is committed to attribution of sources. This continues to unlock new revenue opportunities for our mastheads as the media ecosystem continues to evolve, supporting local and trusted Australian journalism.
“It means helping Microsoft connect users with more informed, high-quality information through its AI offerings while also delivering for content owners.”
“We are meeting readers where they are, by providing important context for Copilot we ensure AI outputs are grounded in verified facts, with an easy click through to our websites to read the full article.”
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