God forbid anyone would admit it, but the first major step towards Kerry Stokes’ family empire exiting media was set in train on Tuesday with a plan to merge his Seven West Media with Southern Cross Media, which owns radio assets including the Triple M network. It marks the beginning of the end of an era for the 85-year-old billionaire, who has made much from the outsized influence afforded by controlling television assets around the country and dominating publishing in his home state of Western Australia. Kerry Stokes mixes with the politically powerful including Prime Minster Anthony Albanese. Credit: Alex EllinghausenFor Stokes, one of the last media moguls left standing in Australia, the deal will reduce his ownership grip on media by watering down his stake in the company that will be created from the merger. He will be chairman of the merged group initially but will relinquish that role in February.