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| Herald & Weekly Times | |
|---|---|
| Name | Herald & Weekly Times |
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | 1840s |
| Founder | John Pascoe Fawkner |
| Hq location | Melbourne |
| Key people | Rupert Murdoch; James Murdoch; Rupert Murdoch; James Murdoch |
| Parent | News Corp Australia |
Herald & Weekly Times
Herald & Weekly Times is an Australian newspaper and publishing company based in Melbourne, historically influential in Victorian print media. Established through 19th-century mergers connected to figures like John Pascoe Fawkner and institutions such as The Argus (Melbourne), the company has had ties to major organizations including News Corporation and later News Corp Australia. Its operations have intersected with notable events and persons linked to Australian newspapers, Victorian politics, and national media consolidation.
The company traces origins to 19th-century proprietors including John Pascoe Fawkner, William Kerr, and titles such as The Argus (Melbourne), evolving through mergers paralleling consolidation trends seen with Fairfax Media and John Fairfax. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries it engaged with industrial disputes akin to those involving Australian Journalists' Association and intersected with political figures like Alfred Deakin and Thomas Bent. In the mid-20th century the firm negotiated technological shifts comparable to transitions by The Sydney Morning Herald and companies like West Australian Newspapers. The acquisition era brought links to conglomerates exemplified by Rupert Murdoch and corporate entities such as News Corporation and later restructurings reminiscent of Ten Network Holdings transactions. The history includes interactions with regulatory frameworks evoking Australian Competition and Consumer Commission deliberations and media inquiries similar to the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption and public debates around concentration that involved personalities like Menzies-era policymakers.
HWT's portfolio historically encompassed mastheads comparable with The Age (Melbourne), broadsheets analogous to The Sydney Morning Herald, and tabloids reminiscent of Daily Telegraph (Sydney). Its brands covered metropolitan and regional titles similar to those of Fairfax Media and community-focused publications like Herald Sun-style tabloids and suburban papers akin to Leader Community Newspapers. The company's publications competed in markets alongside The Australian, The Courier-Mail, and niche magazines akin to offerings from Pacific Magazines or entities like ACP Magazines. Specialist supplements and themed inserts mirrored practices by The Financial Review and magazine portfolios such as Good Weekend. Distribution and advertising strategies paralleled those used by Nine Entertainment Co. and corporate advertising partners like Telstra and ANZ Bank.
Ownership shifted through transactions involving conglomerates including News Corporation and corporate families like the Murdoch family. Structural changes resembled demergers and realignments observed at Fairfax Media and APN News & Media, and involved boards populated with directors akin to figures from National Australia Bank and Commonwealth Bank governance circles. Corporate governance interacted with statutory regulators comparable to Australian Securities and Investments Commission oversight and corporate law matters reminiscent of cases before the High Court of Australia. Parent-subsidiary relations paralleled arrangements seen between News Corp and international divisions such as News International.
Editorial direction historically aligned with conservative and center-right commentary often associated with outlets like The Australian and personalities comparable to Rupert Murdoch-aligned editors. Coverage influenced public debate similarly to campaigns by The Age and opinion pieces that echoed voices like Paul Kelly (journalist) and columnists found in The Australian Financial Review. The company's editorial line engaged with political campaigns involving parties such as the Liberal Party of Australia and issues debated by leaders like John Howard and Bob Hawke. Its stances shaped discourse on policy areas contested in parliaments featuring figures like Julia Gillard and prompted responses from unions including those represented by Bill Shorten.
Circulation patterns mirrored national trends experienced by The Courier-Mail and regional networks like Australian Community Media, with print declines paralleling those reported by The Guardian (Australia). Distribution channels included metropolitan networks akin to those used by TNT (company) logistics and retail partnerships similar to arrangements with Coles Group and Woolworths Group for newspaper sales. Readership metrics were benchmarked against surveys conducted by bodies like Roy Morgan Research and ratings agencies comparable to Nielsen.
Digital transformation followed trajectories similar to Fairfax Media and The Age (Melbourne) with paywall experiments like those trialed by The New York Times and subscription models echoing The Wall Street Journal. Investments in online platforms paralleled initiatives by Nine Entertainment Co. and multimedia endeavors comparable to collaborations with ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Technology adoption included content management systems and analytics akin to tools from Google and partnerships with social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter (now X), while strategies addressed challenges highlighted by international cases involving BuzzFeed and digital-native competitors like Crikey.
Controversies resembled disputes seen in media law cases involving Fairfax Media and defamation matters akin to litigation involving Hugh Morgan or public figures like Schapelle Corby. Legal issues intersected with privacy debates similar to those that engaged News of the World and inquiries comparable to the Leveson Inquiry. Regulatory scrutiny involved bodies such as Australian Communications and Media Authority and standards oversight similar to complaints handled by Press Council of Australia. Employment and industrial disputes bore resemblance to actions by the Australian Journalists' Association and union negotiations exemplified by interactions with the Australian Workers Union.
Category:Companies based in Melbourne Category:Australian newspapers