Nine Entertainment CEO Mike Sneesby to Depart Amid Turbulent Year and Leadership Shake-Up

Mike Sneesby, Chief Executive of Nine Entertainment, is set to step down within weeks following a challenging year for the company marked by allegations of misconduct and bullying in its newsrooms. The broadcaster and publishing giant announced to the ASX that both Sneesby and the board had agreed it was time for a leadership transition to guide Nine into its next phase of strategic growth.

Earlier this year, former news and current affairs director Darren Wick left the company abruptly in March after facing accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior, though Wick has not publicly commented on the matter. The controversy was compounded when Peter Costello, former chairman of Nine Entertainment, resigned in June shortly after denying an assault allegation involving a News Corp journalist at Canberra airport.

Sneesby had been under scrutiny over what he knew regarding the allegations against Wick and the terms of Wick’s departure, which reportedly included a payout close to $1 million, mainly in entitlements. In a staff email on Thursday, Sneesby emphasized his desire to be transparent about his decision to leave, stating that the past year had been one of the most challenging in his career, with resilience being tested amid intense public scrutiny.

He expressed his intent to pursue new opportunities in 2025 after completing ongoing efforts to improve Nine’s workplace culture. He acknowledged that discussions about his tenure had recently opened with the board, leading to a mutual agreement that the time was right to initiate a leadership transition.

Catherine West, Nine’s current Chair, credited Sneesby with several significant achievements, including steering the company through the pandemic and securing broadcast rights for the Olympic Games until 2032. However, the company faced substantial financial challenges and cost-cutting measures, prompting industrial action from journalists in its publishing division, which impacted coverage plans for the Paris Games. In July, shortly after employees voted to strike, Sneesby participated in the Olympic torch relay.

Several senior journalists from major mastheads such as The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Australian Financial Review opted for voluntary redundancies amid the unrest.

Sneesby, who has been CEO for three and a half years and previously led the Nine-owned streaming service Stan, will leave his position and resign from the board on September 30. Matt Stanton, the Chief Financial Officer, will assume the CEO role on an interim basis while the company searches for a permanent replacement.

In response to the issues, Nine commissioned an independent review in May to address alleged inappropriate behavior and broader cultural problems within its television newsrooms. The findings of this review are expected to be released in the coming months.

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