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Google finally struck a deal with a major media company in Australia with regards to payments for news. The country’s Seven West Media and Google just announced a partnership deal on Feb. 15 before the Australian parliament finalized its law for tech firms to pay local publishers for news.
Seven Media welcomes new partnership with Google
The Associated Press News reported that Google and Seven Media publicly announced through print, online publishing, and broadcast that they have struck a deal after agreeing on terms for a long-term partnership. The news came after Australian ministers had a meeting with media executives, Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai, and Facebook’s chief Mark Zuckerberg.
With the deal, Seven West Media’s CEO Kerry Stokes expressed gratefulness to the Australian government and its competitor regulator office for their proposed law for journalism payments for online exposure. The media company owns a total of 21 publications, so this is a big negotiation with Google.
“Their outstanding leadership on the implementation of the proposed news media bargaining code has resulted in us being able to conclude negotiations that result in fair payment and ensure our digital future,” Seven’s chief said in a press release. “The negotiations with Google recognize the value of quality and original journalism throughout the country and, in particular, in regional areas.”
Google’s News Showcase
The American tech company and Seven Media’s agreement was made possible through Google’s News Showcase that was formulated for the benefit of both publishers and readers. Since this scheme was launched, the firm already signed pay deals with at least 450 publications worldwide. Earlier this month, Google started paying seven minor news websites in Australia, and this was part of its News Showcase program as well.
As per CNBC News, Seven West Media became Australia’s first major news company to have a deal with Google. The outlet confirmed that it would be supplying news content under Google’s News Showcase platform.
Neither Seven nor Google revealed the amount involved in the deal. The Australian news outlet said it would post more details about the negotiation once the terms have been finalized within 30 days.
“We are proud to support original, trusted, and quality journalism and are excited to welcome Seven West Media today as a major Australian publishing partner to join Google News Showcase,” Mel Silva, Managing Director for Google Australia and New Zealand, said.
