Federal Court approves Nine, Fairfax merger

A last-ditch effort to prevent a merger between Fairfax Media and Nine Entertainment has been defeated in the Federal Court.

Former Domain chief executive Antony Catalano had launched the Federal Court challenge after Fairfax shareholders voted for the merger last week.

Mr Catalano argued Fairfax shareholders had not been given the opportunity to consider his proposal to acquire 20 per cent of the company's shares, which would have scuttled the Nine merger.

But on Tuesday Justice Jacqueline Gleeson approved the Nine-Fairfax scheme of arrangement.

Fairfax had argued Mr Catalano's offer was not worth consideration, as it did not constitute a superior proposal.