| BY Ricki Green |Seven West Media (SWM) has entered into a Scheme Implementation Deed with Southern Cross Media (SCA) to merge the two companies, creating one of Australia’s largest integrated media groups. Under the merger terms, SWM shareholders will receive 0.1552 SCA shares for each SWM share, resulting in an ownership split of 49.9% (SWM) and 50.1% (SCA). Leadership of the merged entity would see SWM’s Jeff Howard appointed Managing Director and CEO, with SCA’s John Kelly as Group MD, Audio. The deal remains subject to shareholder approval, court processes, and regulatory clearances from ACMA, ACCC and ASX. If approved, the merger is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2026.