Nine Entertainment's the Australian Financial Review has reported that consultant McKinsey have been hired to study News Corp Australia's growth options.

The Australian subsidiary recently announced it had recruited Rob Ure from Wesfarmers to a new role in strategic planning and M&A activity, effective November 16.

The AFR quotes "sources" that management consulting firm McKinsey & Company had been hired to look at "growth opportunities" but neither News Corp nor McKinsey would comment.

It reports that McKinsey has previously worked on digital growth options for pay-TV company Foxtel, of which News is the controlling shareholder.

With a reduced commitment to print following the closure of many of its regional print mastheads, News has been exploring new digital-related growth opportunities.