Nine ups stake in Macquarie

NINE Entertainment has finally attained a 90 per cent stake in Macquarie Media, a milestone that will allow it to compulsorily buy out the remaining shares and bring the radio network under full ownership.

Nine said yesterday it had upped its stake in Macquarie Media to 92.8 per cent at the end of last week, when media reports suggested it had convinced venture capitalist Mark Carnegie and radio host Alan Jones to sell their shares.

Nine’s shareholding in Macquarie Media had been just short of the 90 per cent mark that would allow it to complete the $114 million takeover of the talk radio business, which owns stations 2GB, 3AW, 4BC, 6PR and Macquarie Sports Radio.

Nine chief executive Hugh Marks said it would be business as usual for Macquarie Media staff, with the final stages of the deal to be wrapped up towards the end of 2019.

“We will work to ensure (Macquarie Media) have the support, infrastructure and clarity to be able to do what they do best,” Mr Marks said.

Nine, which inherited a majority 54.5 per cent stake in Macquarie Media via its $4 billion merger with Fairfax Media in December last year, made a $1.46-per- share bid in August to secure the rest of the company.

The offer valued Macquarie Media at $275.4 million.

Advertising mogul John Singleton sold his 32.4 per cent stake in September despite initially hesitating over the price.

The Nine-owned Sydney Morning Herald reported the deal was sealed on Friday when Mr Jones and Mr Carnegie agreed to offload their combined 4.9 per cent holding. Mr Jones is a presenter on 2GB.