Crocmedia


Crocmedia is an Australian-American radio and TV distribution company established in 2006 by journalists James Swanwick and Craig Hutchison.

History

Crocmedia was formed in 2006 in the US as PR company selling entertainment and news content. Now focussing on sport, the company produces content relating to AFL, soccer, rugby league, golf and racing which is broadcast on hundreds of radio stations across Australia. Unlike most broadcasters, Crocmedia owns no stations but instead relies on content deals and adverting to generate revenue.
The company entered the mainstream in late 2009 when it was announced that it would operate a live AFL radio service that would be syndicated throughout regional areas. Many regional broadcasters, including Ace Radio stations, 3BA, 3NE and Edge FM, replaced their existing feed – typically 3AW or Triple M – with the new Crocmedia feed. Crocmedia achieved further publicity by signing veteran broadcasters Sandy Roberts and Rex Hunt to provide commentary.
Crocmedia operates a daily sports news service, called Sportsday, which is carried on several regional broadcasters. It generated controversy in Albury-Wodonga when 2AY announced that it would replace the popular 3AW program Sports Today with Sportsday. Crocmedia came to an agreement with 3AW in 2017 to have its Sportsday program broadcast in Melbourne on 3AW, with Sports Today hosts Gerard Healy and Dwayne Russell joining the program.
Crocmedia owns broadcast rights AFL, A-League and W-League matches and Socceroos and Matildas home games. In 2016, it signed a $10 million six-year deal with the AFL for the national radio broadcasting rights for all AFL games.
Details of a proposed merger between Crocmedia and 1116 SEN owner Pacific Star Network were confirmed in January 2018. Under the plan which is still to be approved by shareholders, existing Crocmedia CEO Craig Hutchison would become the largest shareholder and CEO of the merged company.
Crocmedia received attention in January 2015, after the Federal Circuit Court fined the company $24,000 for breaching the minimum wage conditions of two employees. Judge Riethmuller branded Crocmedia’s actions as ‘exploitative’.
In July 2019, Crocmedia has purchased 23 narrowband radio licences across Australia including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Gold Coast, Darwin and Alice Springs.

Programmes

Radio