Digital, TV sales merger and trio of legal battles dent Nine, but SCA deal showing ‘very positive’ signs

Channel Nine has admitted a decision to merge its digital advertising team with TV sales in 2015 is still impacting revenues, while legal issues involving Seven and the chaotic 60 Minutes episode in Beirut also dented the bottom line.

Chief digital and marketing officer, Alex Parsons, said around 50% of Nine’s $150m of digital revenue in 2016 was generated from display advertising.

But it was still under par and, despite a healthy 18% lift in digital profits, contributed to a 4% decline in revenue.