Kerry Packer and His Influence in Australia’s Media Industry

Kerry Packer, the owner of Publishing and Broadcasting Limited (PBL), is one of the richest men in Australia. PBL’s ownerships include Australia’s Channel 9 TV station, several major newspapers and magazines, some gambling interests like Crown Casino and Burswood, financial interests, and several internet and media businesses.

The Packer family’s fortune began in the 1920s when Packer’s grandpa Robert Packer became a part of a local newspaper. Packer’s father is the publisher of Australian Women’s Weekly, a popular magazine in Australia. The weekly magazine was so successful that the family was able to acquire publishing business to become a media empire that it is today.

PBL’s 9 TV is the leading free to air TV network in Australia. The station produces more shows that any other TV outfits in the country. 9 TV also own stakes in several pay TV stations like Sky News Australia and Foxtel.

The magazine publisher Australian Consolidated Press (ACP) is also owned by Packer. Since its founding in 1933, ACP has published over 60 magazines circulated within Australia and another 30+ magazines circulated in New Zealand and Asia.

PBL’s Burswood Casino also involves in financial interests on top of online gaming. Crown Casino Complex, on the other hand, is composed of function venues, night clubs, cinemas, gaming, restaurant and bars.

In spite of his fortunes, Packer has faced health problems while leading his media empire. He had a heart attack in 1990 and had undergone a kidney transplant. Slowly, Packer relinquished the control of his empire to his son James Packer.

The Forbes Rich List has listed Packer as one of the richest in the world since 2001 until his death on December 27, 2005. At his death, Packer was known not only as the richest Australian but Australia’s most influential media magnate and businessman.

At his funeral, Prime Minister John Howard honored Packer “as a great Australian. He was larger than life character and in so many ways he left his mark in the Australian community over a very long career in business. It’s fair to say that he was one of the dominant figures, if not the dominant Australian figure, of the media scene in this country for more than a generation.”