Southern Cross Media Group (formerly Macquarie Media Group) is an Australian media conglomerate based in South Melbourne that specializes in broadcast television, radio, print and online publishing. It owns Southern Cross Austereo and the Seven Network, Australia's second-largest commercial television network (by audience and advertising market share), as well as the newspapers The West Australian and The Sunday Times.
It was announced in September 2025 that Southern Cross Media Group and Seven West Media were planning to merge by early 2026. The merger was completed on 7 January 2026.
On 3 July 2007 Southern Cross Broadcasting recommended Macquarie Media Group's offer of A$1.35 billion, for a takeover of the corporation. Under the deal, Macquarie Media Group would then onsell the metropolitan radio stations to Fairfax Media. On 5 November 2007, the company officially acquired Southern Cross Broadcasting's assets. On 17 December 2009 shareholders approved a restructuring plan. The company was then renamed from Macquarie Media Group to its current name on 17 December 2009.
In March 2016, Macquarie Group sold a 15.7% stake in Southern Cross Media worth $130 million, and of that 9.9% was purchased by Nine Entertainment, the owner of the Nine Network. Nine sold this stake in the business six months later.
Following Seven West MediaâÂÂs acquisition of Southern Cross AustereoâÂÂs remaining television assets in July 2025 and SCAâÂÂs exit from television, Seven West and Southern Cross Media announced their intention to merge by early 2026. The merger was completed on 7 January 2026. Seven West MediaâÂÂs CEO Jeff Howard lead the merged companies as CEO and Manager Director until late February 2026, with Southern Cross Chairman Heith Mackay-Cruise succeeding Kerry Stokes as group Chairman.