APN NEWS & MEDIA

ARN Media Ltd, publicly traded as ASX: A1N, is a media and entertainment entity with a strategic focus on audio and digital businesses in Australia and outdoor advertising in Hong Kong. The company has undergone significant evolution, originally established as Australian Provincial Newspapers Holdings, it listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 1992. A name change to APN News & Media occurred in 1998 to reflect its broadening media interests. A pivotal shift in strategy occurred to move away from traditional print media, culminating in the sale of its Australian Regional Media division to News Corp. This led to a rebranding in May 2017 to HT&E Limited (Here, There & Everywhere), signifying its new focus on out-of-home assets, including radio, outdoor, and digital platforms. The most recent rebranding to ARN Media took place in May 2023, a move approved by shareholders to align the corporate identity with its core audio business and growth ambitions in the digital audio landscape.

The company's revenue is primarily generated through advertising across its extensive network. In 2022, statutory revenues increased by 53% to $344.9 million, largely driven by the acquisition of ARN Regional. This growth was supported by a 7% rise in regional advertising revenues to $107.7 million and an 8% increase in digital audio revenue to $14.6 million. The business serves advertisers by providing access to a broad audience across multiple platforms. The acquisition of Grant Broadcasters in 2022 expanded ARN's national broadcast network to 58 stations and 46 DAB+ stations across 33 markets, significantly enhancing its reach, particularly in regional Australia.

ARN Media's core business is its audio division, Australian Radio Network (ARN), which operates a portfolio of well-known brands. This includes the KIIS Network, the Pure Gold Network, CADA, and the digital entertainment platform iHeartRadio, which it operates in Australia. The network reaches a substantial audience, connecting with over 8 million people weekly through broadcast and digital audio. ARN has consistently been a top-ranking metropolitan radio network in Australia. A key component of its digital strategy is the iHeartPodcast Network Australia, which has maintained a leading position as a podcast publisher. This multi-platform approach allows the company to engage audiences across live radio, music streaming, and on-demand podcasts, offering integrated solutions for advertisers.