Australia: Fairfax Digital grabs majority share in the Weather Company

Posted by Liam Berkowitz on June 25, 2008 at 8:45 AM

Fairfax Digital has acquired the Weather Company, owner of Australia's most popular commercial weather site, weatherzone.com.au. The deal will give Fairfax Digital a 75 percent stake in the Weather Company. Mark Hardy, founder of the Weather Company, holds the remaining share, and will be retained as managing director.

"Fairfax Digital is all about breaking news, and providing current weather information is the ultimate in breaking news," says Jack Matthews, Fairfax Digital CEO. "This acquisition confirms our position as Australia's most comprehensive news and weather information source."

The Weather Company was founded in 1988, and provides weather content to several organizations, including those in energy, insurance, and agriculture.

Fairfax Digital comprises over 30 websites, and is a subsidiary of Fairfax Media. Earlier this month, the company launched Western Australia's first online-only newspaper.

Source: Fairfax Media Press Release, PaidContent.org