Seven West Media reports second-half gains from | Australian Markets

Seven West Media boss Jeff Howard says viewers growth for The Nightly has been going “gangbusters” and expects momentum from a optimistic second-half efficiency to proceed into the 2026 financial yr.

The national digital newspaper, launched 18 months in the past, grew its month-to-month web page views by more than 60 per cent during the 2025 financial yr primarily based on its robust editorial content material, together with by the Federal election. It additionally launched The Nightly On digital magazine sequence.

“The Nightly is going gangbusters . . . 80 per cent of The Nightly audience is now outside WA, which is really important and helping the broader organisation lean into how we continue to grow that product,” Mr Howard advised The Nightly after delivering SWM’s 2025 financial yr outcomes.

Mr Howard mentioned that whereas the viewers of The Nightly — a national publication that was launched out of Perth — was initially primarily based in WA, the complete SWM gross sales functionality was now lining up behind it. He mentioned this introduced more alternatives to advertise The Nightly and doubtlessly different spin-offs.

“There’s a broader objective for the east coast sales team to find a revenue target this year. We’re already on the way to finding some of that, a long way to go, but I’m excited by the fact that we’ve got our platform, we’ve got the product, we’ve got the content people are engaging with, and we now just need to convert that into bucks,” Mr Howard mentioned.

SWM is the proprietor of West Australian Newspapers, writer of The Nightly, The West Australian, The Sunday Times and a suite of regional publications.

The diversified media company on Tuesday reported earnings earlier than curiosity, tax, depreciation and amortisation grew 6 per cent within the final six months to June 30 whereas underlying internet revenue soared 33 per cent, marking the primary half-year of growth since 2022.

Mr Howard described it as “solid progress” towards SWM’s new working model, which is targeted on guaranteeing the company has the correct sources to drive digital alternatives. He highlighted the 7plus streaming service as a “standout performer”.

“That momentum change I think is happening,” he mentioned.

Total TV audiences have been up 1.1 per cent within the second half — suggesting content material is resonating with viewers — whereas Seven’s complete TV promoting income was down just one per cent, pushed by a 41 per cent surge in income for 7plus.

“We’re almost on the verge of 7plus growth offsetting the broadcast TV decline, which will be a significant milestone, and certainly one that gives us a very different future when that happens,” Mr Howard mentioned.

“Ex the 2 COVID years of ‘21 and ‘22, it will be the first time Seven West Media has a positive revenue growth story since FY17, so that will be a significant turning point.”

SWM said January to April total TV revenue grew by “low single digits” — in line with February guidance — but the market post the Federal election was “weaker than anticipated” and cost actions had to be undertaken to stem the revenue decline.

For the 2025 financial year, SWM reported a statutory net profit of $17 million on group revenue of $1.35 billion, with the latter figure down 4 per cent on the previous financial year. The rate of decline in the second half moderated to 2 per cent.

The West’s digital platforms additionally reported growth, attaining a 4.4 per cent increase to 54.5 million month-to-month web page views.

Earnings earlier than curiosity, tax, deprecation and amortisation at The West have been broadly flat in comparison with the earlier financial yr at $27m. SWM mentioned this mirrored “strong execution on strategy by growing digital audiences and paid subscribers, leaning into print products, reducing costs and delivering new revenue opportunities”.

The newspaper reported a 3 per cent fall in income to $169m on the back of a 7 per cent drop in promoting income. This was partially offset by a 4 per cent increase in circulation income.

Mr Howard mentioned the give attention to the standard of content material and occasions such because the Leadership Matters sequence, Resources Technology Showcase and Telethon bolstered the significance of The West and its digital platforms.

“That’s what’s driving the results and what’s holding the revenue line both from an advertising perspective and the digital circulation growth and the circulation numbers that we’re getting,” he mentioned.

Mr Howard additionally credited the work of SWM WA chief government Maryna Fewster and her workforce in holding prices underneath control to offset income challenges.

Costs of $142m have been down 3 per cent on the earlier fiscal yr.

Trading for the 2026 financial yr has began solidly with good momentum going into the AFL finals, Mr Howard mentioned.

However, he famous the primary half would bear the brunt of an increase in AFL prices following the beginning of a new contract in March, in addition to incremental prices from the acquisition of Southern Cross Media’s regional TV property.

“But overall for FY26 . . . I’m expecting that momentum to continue,” Mr Howard mentioned.

SWM elected to not pay a dividend for the 2025 financial yr. Shares have been down 1¢ to 14¢ at 1pm.