ACCC to review Seven-News deal in WA

The ACCC will review the proposed sale of two WA titles by News Corporation to Seven West Media.

The ACCC will review the proposed sale of The Sunday Times newspaper and perthnow.com.au website by News Corporation to Seven West Media.

Seven West owns The West Australian and The Weekend West newspapers among other media assets.

The inquiry will look at how closely the publications compete and what impact the acquisitions will have on the supply on advertising and the quality of content on the papers.

Submissions are due on June 17 with a decision due on July 28.

As revealed by The Australian, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has agreed to sell The Sunday Times newspaper to Seven, subject to regulatory approval.

“We see the potential for a positive and growing future for The Sunday Times brand, which has been and will continue to be part of the fabric of this great state,” Seven chief executive Tim Worner said in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.

“We have always had a strong commitment to Western Australia with Channel Seven Perth and The West Australian and our digital platforms and we are looking to strengthen that commitment.”

Sources said Seven, which owns Perth’s only weekday metropolitan newspaper, The West Australian, and News Corp had agreed upon the commercial terms for the deal. It is believed the sale price will be about $12 million-$15m.