ENT Ltd.
| Company type | Privately held company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Fate | Acquired by WIN Corporation |
| Headquarters | Launceston , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
Key people | Edmund Rouse (former principal shareholder and managing director) |
| Products | Television broadcasting, newspapers, radio, commercial printing, hospitality, travel agencies, cinemas, property development, investment activities |
| Owner | WIN Corporation |
ENT Ltd, an abbreviation of Examiner-Northern TV Ltd, functions as a privately held shell company under the ownership of WIN Corporation. Once a publicly listed media enterprise, ENT held a controlling interest in Filmpac Holdings—previously known as Filmways Australasian Distributors—a distributor specializing in film and video, starting in 1988. Filmpac ceased operations in 1990, and ENT came under WIN's control in 1994 following a bribery controversy involving its principal shareholder Edmund Rouse.
History
Originally a publicly traded Australian media firm headquartered in Launceston, Tasmania, ENT Ltd was dominated by its leading shareholder Edmund Rouse. According to the 1988 annual report, the company’s core business sectors included television broadcasting, newspapers, radio, commercial printing services, hospitality (motels), travel agencies, cinemas, property development, and investment activities.
Following the bribery scandal in 1994 that led to Rouse resigning as managing director, WIN Corporation completed its takeover of ENT.
Filmpac
Filmways Australasian Distributors was established in 1971 by Mark Josem and Robert Ward, the founders of Dendy Cinemas, to manage film distribution within Australia. After the passing of Josem in 1986, the company rebranded itself as Filmpac Holdings.
Filmpac focused on distributing films and videos. ENT secured a 40% ownership stake in 1988 by acquiring Victoria-based Associated Broadcasting Services.
The company also operated a home video division, initially collaborating with Video Classics and later with Video Tape Centre under the label 'Filmways VTC.' Between 1984 and 1985, K-TEL Video served as distributor. From 1985 until 1988, Filmways Home Video/Filmpac titles were distributed by Vestron Video International before Filmpac transitioned to an independent video distributor.
During the period from 1986 to 1990, Filmpac released a total of 69 theatrical films, establishing itself as Australia's foremost independent mainstream theatrical distributor. The company folded in 1990; its film catalogue was purchased by Village Roadshow, which also acquired assets from the defunct distributor Seven Keys.
Print media
- The Examiner newspaper based in Launceston
Television stations
TasTV
- TVT-6 located in Hobart (currently operating as WIN Tasmania)
- TNT-9 based in Launceston (now known as Seven Tasmania)
The Six Network (renamed VIC Television)
- BTV-6 serving Ballarat (presently WIN Victoria)
- GMV-6 located in Shepparton (currently WIN Victoria)
- STV-8 from Mildura (now WIN Mildura)
Radio stations
- 7EX broadcasting from Launceston (currently branded as Chilli 90.1fm)
- 7HT stationed in Hobart (now Triple M)
- 3SR serving Shepparton
- 3UL located in Warragul (operating now as 531 3GG)
- 3UZ based in Melbourne (retained as RSN Racing & Sport)
- Four radio stations situated in California
- Two radio stations located in Oregon
Other assets
- Holyman, specializing in shipping
- Gunns, operating within forestry
- Village Cinemas Tasmania (cinema operations through a 50% joint venture with Village Roadshow)