Network Ten Pty Limited

Network Ten Pty Limited is an Australian media company operating the Network 10 commercial free-to-air television network. The company is headquartered in Pyrmont, New South Wales, and serves audiences across Australia's metropolitan and regional television markets. Its principal broadcast service is supported by digital multichannels, streaming and catch-up services, content production and distribution activities, and interests in related media businesses. The enterprise developed through a succession of ownership and corporate restructurings involving Australian television stations, regional affiliates, financial institutions and overseas media companies. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the network experienced substantial financial and ownership instability. Northern Star Holdings, which had acquired major Network Ten stations, entered receivership and liquidation proceedings. The metropolitan stations were subsequently controlled by Westpac before being sold in December 1992 to Oltec Limited, a company controlled by Canadian media group CanWest. Oltec changed its name to The Ten Group Limited in 1993. A more formal corporate structure emerged in 1998 when Ten Network Holdings was established as a public company on the Australian Securities Exchange. It progressively consolidated ownership of The Ten Group and became the central listed vehicle for the network. CanWest later converted its interest into shares in Ten Network Holdings, but sold its controlling stake in 2009 as it attempted to reduce debt. In 2010, media investors including James Packer, Lachlan Murdoch and Gina Rinehart acquired significant holdings, leading to a period of shareholder influence and leadership change. The company entered a severe financial crisis in 2017 after reporting a large half-year loss and losing the support of major shareholders for debt guarantees. Network Ten entered voluntary administration in June 2017. Creditors subsequently approved a takeover by CBS Corporation, which was completed in November of that year. The transaction ended the listed company's independent ownership and transferred the network into CBS's international structure. Under CBS ownership, Network 10 broadened its digital and streaming identity. It launched the 10 daily website in 2018, introduced a new circular 10 logo, and repositioned its multichannel portfolio as 10 Peach and 10 Boss, later known as 10 Bold. The company also launched 10 All Access in December 2018, offering subscription access to selected CBS and Network 10 content. Following the 2019 re-merger of CBS and Viacom, Network 10 became part of ViacomCBS, later renamed Paramount Global. 10 Shake launched in 2020 using programming from brands such as Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central; it was rebranded as Nickelodeon in 2023. Paramount+ replaced 10 All Access in August 2021. In March 2024, Beverley McGarvey was appointed president and chief executive officer of Network 10, while also taking responsibility for streaming and the Australia and New Zealand region. In August 2025, the business became part of the Paramount organization created through the combination of Paramount Global and Skydance Media. Network Ten therefore remains an active Australian broadcaster, but operates as part of a global entertainment group rather than as an independently listed company.

Network Ten's corporate history reflects the consolidation and repeated restructuring of Australia's commercial television industry. In 1987, Northern Star Holdings acquired the Sydney and Melbourne Network Ten stations from News Corporation and later purchased stations in Adelaide, Perth and Canberra. The strategy was undermined by financial pressure, disputes over program-supply payments and declining cash flow. Northern Star entered receivership in 1990 and liquidation proceedings followed in 1991. Westpac took control of the eastern capital-city stations and sold the network in December 1992 to Oltec Limited, which was controlled by Canadian media company CanWest. Oltec adopted the name The Ten Group Limited in 1993. Ownership remained complicated because of Australian foreign-investment and media-ownership rules. CanWest held a substantial economic interest while other shareholders included regional broadcasters and Australian investors. Ten Group acquired half of Capital Television Holdings in 1993, although the Canberra station was later sold to Southern Cross Broadcasting after disputes concerning ownership and program-supply arrangements. In 1998, Ten Network Holdings was created and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. It provided a public-market structure through which investors could hold interests in the television network. Ten Network Holdings increased its control of The Ten Group to 99 percent in 2007 and completed the consolidation in 2008. CanWest sold its controlling interest in September 2009 for approximately A$680 million, seeking to reduce the debt burden of its wider group. The subsequent shareholder period involved notable investments by James Packer, Lachlan Murdoch and Gina Rinehart. Leadership changed several times between 2011 and 2015, including the appointment of Murdoch as acting chief executive, James Warburton as chief executive, Hamish McLennan as executive chairman and Paul Anderson as chief executive. The network's financial position deteriorated during the middle of the decade as advertising conditions and competition from subscription, digital and online video services placed pressure on free-to-air television. In 2017, Ten Network Holdings reported a A$232 million half-year loss and warned that its ability to continue depended on the renewal of a A$200 million debt guarantee. When major shareholders withdrew support for a proposed replacement guarantee, the company entered voluntary administration on 14 June. A proposed rescue involving Lachlan Murdoch and Bruce Gordon was not selected. Instead, administrators accepted a binding CBS proposal valued at A$123 million, subject to regulatory and court processes. Creditors voted overwhelmingly for the CBS transaction, and the Supreme Court of New South Wales approved it in November. Completion followed on 16 November 2017, with the former shareholders losing their equity interests. CBS used Network 10 as part of its international content and distribution structure. In 2018, the company launched 10 daily, refreshed the Network 10 identity, renamed its digital channels and introduced 10 All Access. The website closed in 2020, while the streaming service became Paramount+ in 2021. CBS's merger with Viacom in December 2019 placed Network 10 within ViacomCBS, alongside brands including MTV and Nickelodeon; the group later adopted the Paramount name. A new youth-oriented channel, 10 Shake, launched in 2020 and was rebranded as Nickelodeon in 2023. In 2024, Beverley McGarvey became president and chief executive officer. Following the 2025 Paramount-Skydance combination, Network Ten became part of the enlarged Paramount organization.

1. 2025Network Ten joins the post-merger Paramount organization

   The company became part of Paramount following the completion of the Paramount Global and Skydance Media merger.

   Source
2. 2024Beverley McGarvey becomes chief executive

   McGarvey was appointed president and chief executive officer of Network 10.

   Source
3. 2021Paramount+ replaces 10 All Access

   The streaming platform adopted the global Paramount+ brand.

   Source
4. 202010 Shake launches

   The new digital channel combined children's programming with entertainment aimed at younger adult audiences.

   Source
5. 2019Network Ten enters the ViacomCBS group

   CBS's re-merger with Viacom made Network 10 part of the newly formed ViacomCBS organization.

   Source
6. 2018Network 10 identity launched

   The company introduced its circular 10 logo, revised channel branding and launched 10 All Access later in the year.

   Source
7. 2017Voluntary administration and CBS acquisition

   Ten entered administration in June, creditors approved CBS's proposal in September, and the transaction completed in November.

   Source
8. 2008Corporate ownership is consolidated

   Ten Network Holdings completed the acquisition of the remaining interests in The Ten Group.

   Source
9. 1998Ten Network Holdings is established

   A listed holding company was created to own and coordinate the Network Ten assets.

   Source
10. 1992Network sold to Oltec Limited

    Westpac sold the eastern capital-city stations and related network interests to Oltec Limited.

    Source
11. 1990Receivers appointed to Northern Star

    Financial problems led to the appointment of receivers and subsequent liquidation proceedings.

    Source
12. 1987Northern Star Holdings acquires major Network Ten stations

    Northern Star Holdings acquired the Sydney and Melbourne stations and later purchased stations in several other capital cities.

    Source

A national commercial broadcaster positioned around entertainment, reality, news, drama, comedy, sport and youth-oriented programming, with a distinctive alternative identity within Australia's free-to-air television market.

• Network 10Free-to-air television network

  The principal Australian commercial television service operated by Network Ten. It broadcasts a national schedule of entertainment, reality, drama, comedy, news, lifestyle, sport and acquired programming, with metropolitan services and regional distribution arrangements.

• 10 BoldDigital television multichannel

  A free-to-air digital channel focused primarily on drama, crime, procedural and other programming aimed at mature adult audiences. It originated as One and was rebranded as 10 Boss before adopting the 10 Bold name.

• 10 PeachDigital television multichannel

  A digital channel oriented toward younger adults and built around comedy, sitcoms, drama and entertainment programming. It was formerly known as Eleven.

• 10 PlayStreaming and catch-up service

  Network 10's online video service, providing live and on-demand access to Network 10 programming and selected multichannel content.

• 10 ShakeDigital television multichannel2020

  A multichannel launched in 2020 with children's programming during the day and entertainment drawing on ViacomCBS brands during evening hours. It was rebranded as Nickelodeon in 2023.

• 10 All AccessSubscription streaming service2018

  A localised subscription service launched by Network 10 and CBS, carrying selected advertising-free CBS and Network 10 programming. It was replaced by Paramount+ in 2021.

• 2018Network 10 rebrand

  Australia

  Network Ten replaced its long-running wordmark with a circular 10 logo and aligned the branding of its television, digital and streaming services under the Network 10 identity. The repositioning presented the broadcaster as an adventurous, entertaining alternative in the Australian market.

  Outcome. The new identity became the standard branding for the network and its services.

  Source

• 2021Paramount+ replaces 10 All AccessGeneration change

  Paramount sought a consistent global identity for its subscription streaming businesses.

  What changed. The Australian 10 All Access service was migrated to the Paramount+ brand.

  Aftermath. Network Ten's streaming activities became integrated with Paramount's international streaming proposition.

  Source
• 2020Launch of 10 ShakeProduct launch

  The ViacomCBS merger expanded Network 10's access to programming from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.

  What changed. Network 10 launched 10 Shake with children's programming during the day and youth-oriented entertainment during prime time.

  Aftermath. The channel was rebranded as Nickelodeon in August 2023.

  Source
• 2018Network 10 brand and channel redesignStrategy

  After the CBS acquisition, the broadcaster sought a unified identity across its primary channel, multichannels and digital services.

  What changed. The company introduced the circular 10 logo and renamed its digital channels as 10 Peach and 10 Boss, with 10 Boss later becoming 10 Bold.

  Aftermath. The redesigned portfolio established the Network 10 naming system used across its Australian broadcast and digital operations.

  Source
• 2018Launch of 10 All AccessProduct launch

  Network Ten and CBS sought to expand from linear broadcasting into subscription video streaming.

  What changed. The company launched 10 All Access with selected CBS and Network 10 content.

  Aftermath. The service was rebranded as Paramount+ in August 2021.

  Source
• 2017CBS acquisition approvedM&A

  Network Ten entered voluntary administration after significant losses and the withdrawal of shareholder-backed debt support. Competing shareholders sought to delay or replace the CBS proposal.

  What changed. Administrators recommended CBS's binding acquisition proposal, creditors voted in favor of it, and the Supreme Court of New South Wales approved the transaction.

  Aftermath. CBS acquired the company in November 2017, extinguishing the interests of the former listed shareholders and placing Network Ten within CBS's international operations.

  Acquisition consideration. A$123 million (2017)

  Source

• 2024Beverley McGarvey appointed president and chief executive officer

  McGarvey assumed the leadership of Network 10 and responsibility for streaming and the Australia and New Zealand region.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 202110 All Access becomes Paramount+

  The local streaming service was rebranded as Paramount+ as part of Paramount's international streaming expansion.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2018Network 10 introduces a new brand identity and multichannel names

  The network adopted a circular 10 logo and relaunched its multichannels as 10 Peach and 10 Boss, with the latter later becoming 10 Bold.

  CampaignProduct launch
  Source
• 201810 All Access launches in Australia

  Network 10 launched a local subscription streaming service combining selected CBS and Network 10 programming.

  Product launch
  Source
• 2017Ten Network Holdings enters voluntary administration

  The listed company entered voluntary administration after major shareholders withdrew support for proposed debt guarantees and the business reported substantial losses.

  BankruptcyOther
  Source
• 2017CBS agrees to acquire Network Ten

  CBS entered a binding agreement to acquire Ten after the company entered administration. Creditors later supported the transaction and the purchase was completed in November.

  M&AOther
  Source

1. Network Ten Pty Limited