Australia’s richest woman, Gina Rinehart, could be gearing up for a surprise return to the media industry, this time through the airwaves.

According to industry sources, the mining magnate is weighing a move to acquire Nine Entertainment’s radio division, which includes Sydney’s 2GB, Melbourne’s 3AW, Brisbane’s 4BC and Perth’s 6PR.

The network, which Nine has put on the market, could fetch around $50 million.

This is small change for Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting, which recently reported a $3 billion annual profit.

The move would mark Rinehart’s third foray into Australian media.

She previously held significant stakes in both Network Ten and Fairfax Media, though those investments ended in heavy losses and boardroom standoffs.

A national talkback network, with its conservative-leaning audience, would arguably be a more natural fit for the billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist.

Rinehart is reportedly considering either a solo bid or joining forces with celebrity agent Nick Fordham, whose firm manages high-profile talent including Mark Bouris and Sylvia Jeffreys.

Fordham has spent more than a year assembling a consortium to take over the network. His brother, 2GB breakfast host Ben Fordham, has hinted at a possible future working alongside him.

Other interested parties include advertising legend John Singleton, who previously co-owned the network before selling to Nine, and Australian Digital Holdings, chaired by former ABC boss Maurice Newman.

Insiders say Rinehart’s involvement could breathe new life into Nine’s struggling Perth station 6PR, where speculation is mounting that family friend and former host Liam Bartlett could be tapped for a comeback under her ownership.

With radio audiences rebounding and Ben Fordham recently reclaiming the top breakfast slot from Kyle & Jackie O, the timing for a sale looks ideal.

Neither Nine nor Rinehart’s representatives have commented on the potential bid.