Matt Stanton has today been named Nine’s new Chief Executive Officer, officially stepping into the role after over six months as acting leader of the entertainment giant.
Stanton, who was formerly Nine’s chief finance and strategy officer, has led the network through significant challenges during this interim period, and his official appointment signals a new chapter for the company.
Nine’s announcement about Stanton’s appointment to the ASX today reads:
Nine Entertainment Co. (ASX: NEC) today announces the appointment of Matthew Stanton as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, effective immediately.
The Nine Board confirmed Mr Stanton’s appointment after a comprehensive international search process involving a high-calibre field of candidates.
An experienced commercial CEO, Mr Stanton has a strong track record of leading transformation programs across the media, food and beverage and retail sectors. Previously he was Chief Executive Officer of Barambah Organics, Chief Transformation Officer at Woolworths, and Chief Executive Officer of Bauer Media (now Are Media). After joining Nine as Chief Strategy Officer in 2022, Mr Stanton has been Acting Chief Executive Officer since October 2024.
During his time as Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stanton has reset Nine’s operating model, refreshed the Executive Team and accelerated the strategic and cultural organisation-wide reform programs underway at Nine.
Nine Chair Catherine West said:
“The Board is delighted to confirm Matt as the Nine CEO. Following a thorough and competitive recruitment process, Matt was clearly the best credentialled leader to maintain the momentum on our strategic and cultural transformation. He has done an outstanding job as Acting CEO.”
“Matt’s mix of strategic and commercial acumen, transformation and media experience, strong values, and an open and collaborative approach to leadership, make him the right person to lead Nine.”
“After developing the Group strategy, Matt has a deep understanding of Nine, our priorities, culture and people and has earned the respect of the senior leadership, the broader workforce, the market and the Board.”
Nine Chief Executive Officer Matthew Stanton said:
“It’s an honour and a privilege to lead the talented and dedicated team at Nine. Nine is a great Australian company that plays a vital role in the national conversation.”
“We have an exciting future, underpinned by the best people and assets in the media sector. We have moved at pace in recent months to strengthen the Group, and I’ve been buoyed by the buy-in from people across the company as we progress our ambitious plans to reset and grow the business.”
“I am committed to continuing to reform and strengthen Nine in the interests of all shareholders and our people.”
Stanton’s appointment to acting CEO in September last year came around the same time as Nine released the findings of its workplace culture review in October, which exposed allegations of bullying, sexism, and misconduct, adding to the turbulence within the network’s news and current affairs division.
After taking on the role of Director of News Operations in May last year, Nine’s Fiona Dear spoke candidly about the challenges she faced, describing her role as “cleaning up someone else’s shit” as she worked to rebuild trust within the network’s newsroom, particularly among women.
Several key figures from the news division have departed over the last 12 months, including longtime director of news and current affairs Darren Wick last March, Sydney news director Simon Hobbs last November, and Brisbane news director Amanda Paterson, who was also dismissed in November and recently settled an unlawful termination case against the network.
TV Blackbox is aware of another Nine employee, recently named by a prominent news outlet, who has alleged extreme bullying by news boss Fiona Dear, as well as incidents involving inappropriate comments from senior staff. These include an alleged physical incident described as a hit with an object ‘in jest‘ and regular remarks about her weight.
Despite reports that she has officially engaged legal counsel, the former employee is yet to retain a lawyer, but we understand further legal action against the network is pending.
Nine also acted swiftly in the wake of controversy surrounding Today show sports presenter Alex Cullen earlier this year, firing him after he accepted a $50,000 payment from billionaire Adrian Portelli—a move seen as setting a new standard for conduct and accountability at the network.
The network further lost one of its most respected journalists and presenters last month, with Liz Hayes confirmed to be departing after more than four decades at Nine, following months of speculation about her future with the broadcaster.
Amid these changes, Nine has made strategic moves to reshape its future, including the appointment of Amanda Laing, formerly of Foxtel Group, as Managing Director of its new Streaming & Broadcast division, bringing them together for the first time.
At the same time, speculation is mounting about a potential sale of Nine’s radio assets and a possible exit from its stake in property website Domain, indicating a shift in renewed focus towards television and streaming under Stanton’s leadership.
*This story was updated with additional reporting on 16/03/2025
