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Media Roundup: Nine's Domain sale, Murdoch media probe, Tech giants anger at Aussies, AMP's WFH rules and richest Aussie's revealed

See the top industry stories trending today.

By Natasha LeePublished Mar 21, 2025
4 min read
list

Brands

Nine explores Domain sale deal amid trade focus

Nine Entertainment is in negotiations to offload its controlling stake in Domain to US real estate giant CoStar, with both parties locked in a pricing tug-of-war over the media company’s prized digital asset.

CoStar signalled its intent last month with a 16.9% stake grab before making a $4.20 per share cash bid for the rest of Australia’s second-largest property listings site.

Sam Buckingham-Jones writes in The Australian Financial Review that Nine's investment bankers are now pushing for a sweeter deal, reportedly eyeing $4.65 per share - valuing its 60% holding at $1.76 billion.

Murdoch media probe fades, but advocacy shifts gears

A push for a royal commission into Rupert Murdoch's media empire has hit a dead end, with the campaign’s organisers shutting down their efforts.

Australians for a Murdoch Royal Commission (AFMRC) is handing over its work to progressive think tank The Australia Institute, marking a shift in strategy rather than a total surrender, reports Daanyal Saeed in Crikey.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, who co-chaired the campaign, admitted the inquiry is unlikely to happen, given bipartisan resistance.

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Supermarket giants escape big penalties, but scrutiny stays

Woolworths and Coles have dodged major penalties or forced divestments following the consumer watchdog’s deep dive into Australia’s $120 billion grocery sector.

As Eli Greenblat write in The Australian, While the ACCC has labelled the duo an entrenched oligopoly, the regulator stopped short of recommending drastic action, instead pushing for reforms to boost transparency and competition.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers framed the findings as part of an "ongoing supermarket crackdown," vowing to ensure shoppers aren’t "treated like mugs."

Publishing

Real estate remains king as Australia's richest unveiled

The Australian's annual The List – Australia’s Richest 250 has been released today delivering a comprehensive snapshot of Australia’s wealthiest individuals.

Curated by wealth expert John Stensholt, the list provides valuable insights into the trends shaping Australia’s economic landscape, attracting both high-end advertisers and aspiring entrepreneurs.

Australia's richest continue to favour property as a key wealth driver, with 55 of The List – Australia’s Richest 250 making their fortunes in real estate proving the Great Australian Dream is still very much alive – for some of us.

Tech

US tech giants push back on Australia's media laws

Tech heavyweights Apple, Meta, Google, X and Amazon are lobbying the White House to take action against Australia, claiming its media and digital laws unfairly target American companies.

The coalition, led by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), argues that Australia’s policies force US firms to bankroll local media, costing them around $140 million annually.

As Rich James writes in Crikey, The dispute centres on the News Media Bargaining Incentive, a new proposal to replace the News Media Bargaining Code, which Meta has already abandoned.

Microsoft touts Australia's AI edge

Australia has a real shot at making its mark in the AI boom, not by building the biggest models but by excelling in applications and data centre operations, according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

The tech leader says the rise of China's low-cost DeepSeek model proves that AI leadership is up for grabs beyond the US, with innovation happening at different layers of the ecosystem.

As Jared Lynch reports in The Australian, Nadella stressed that AI’s future remains fluid, with breakthroughs still to come

 

Companies

AMP's tough new WFH contracts spark backlash

AMP is under fire after handing staff contracts that grant the company sweeping surveillance powers, including continuous video monitoring - even when working from home.

As Ewin Hannan writes in The Australian, the contracts, which employees must sign within a week, also give AMP the right to sell personal data and mandate medical exams by a company-appointed doctor.

Workplace law expert Andrew Stewart called it "the most one-sided contract" he has ever seen, noting it even blocks staff from seeking legal advice without AMP's approval.

Streaming

Meghan Markle's brand hits another trademark snag

Meghan Markle's upcoming lifestyle brand, As Ever, has hit yet another roadblock, with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) flagging issues in her latest application.

The former Suits star, who rebranded from American Riviera Orchard after previous trademark hurdles, reportedly failed to sign a key document, adding to her growing list of legal missteps.

Nika Shakhnazarova and Tiffany Bakker write in The Daily Telegraph that the USPTO has asked Markle to clarify vague product descriptions, including the definition of "various items" such as spoons, jams, and fruit preserves.

Music

Mariah Carey wins copyright battle over holiday hit

Mariah Carey has officially unwrapped a legal victory, with a US federal judge tossing out a copyright lawsuit over All I Want for Christmas Is You.

Country singer Vince Vance, frontman of Vince Vance & the Valiants, had claimed Carey copied his 1988 holiday song, but the court found no grounds for the case to proceed.

As Marina Dunbar writes in The Guardian, Judge Mónica Ramírez Almadani ruled that both tracks relied on common festive themes found in countless Christmas songs.

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