Google renews media deals with Australian publishers

Google has renewed media deals with several smaller Australian publishers, while the Albanese Government considers pressuring Meta to pay millions to local publishers. According to the AFR, Google has extended agreements with News Corp, Times News Group, Solstice Media, Crikey, The Conversation, Women’s Agenda, and Independent Media. These renewed contracts are for one year, with an option for Google to cancel after that period.

Previously, Seven and Nine secured five-year deals with Google, expiring in 2026, while smaller publishers had three-year agreements. Google’s director of government affairs, Lucinda Longcroft, stated that over the past three years, Google has signed agreements with more than 80 Australian news businesses, supporting over 200 outlets.