Newsweek introduces its most comprehensive visual redesign in decades The overhaul aims to unify print, digital, video and social media platforms under a new aesthetic Strategic rebranding seeks to reinforce relevance and audience engagement Newsweek has unveiled a sweeping redesign and rebrand, described as its most comprehensive visual overhaul in decades, as it seeks to modernise its identity and strengthen its position in today’s crowded media landscape. Branded “A World Drawn Closer,” the redesign unites Newsweek’s print, digital, video and social platforms under a single visual system. The new look includes a refined wordmark, a bold “N” icon, and a…

Microsoft launches Publisher Content Marketplace to compensate publishers for AI use of content Pilot phase begins with select US publishers amid ongoing copyright disputes Industry tensions grow over fair pay, regulatory calls, and AI’s impact on journalism Microsoft is preparing to launch a new platform that could reshape how publishers are compensated for their journalism in the age of AI. The Publisher Content Marketplace (PCM) will integrate with Microsoft’s Copilot assistant and pay publishers based on how their content is used within AI applications, signalling a shift toward a more formalised licensing model between tech firms and news outlets. According…

ABC News overtake news.com.au as the most-read Australian news website in August The Australian’s recent growth driven by third-party aggregators rather than subscriptions Australian news readership remains high, with over 20 million accessing news online ABC News and news.com.au have solidified their positions as the leading news websites in Australia, creating a significant gap between themselves and their closest competitors. According to the Ipsos iris ranking report, which extrapolates national readership from data collected across 8,000 devices, ABC News attracted over 13 million monthly readers in August. News.com.au followed closely behind with 12.683 million readers, marking a 5.4% increase from…

FAZ+ celebrates seven years with a special rate of €7 per month for seven months Offers include exclusive international reports, podcast access, and a free Emsa thermobecher Emphasises commitment to high-quality, trustworthy journalism supported by subscriptions The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) is celebrating the seventh anniversary of its premium service, FAZ+, by offering readers a reduced rate of €7 per month for seven months. The move highlights the publisher’s continued push to grow digital subscriptions as advertising revenues across the industry remain under pressure. Launched in 2017, FAZ+ provides subscribers with exclusive foreign correspondence, in-depth political and economic analysis, and…

La Repubblica launches a €69 annual bundle with The New York Times The joint subscription includes unlimited digital content, podcasts, newsletters and interactive features Reflects broader industry trend of strategic bundling to boost digital subscriber numbers The Italian daily La Repubblica has joined a growing number of publishers partnering with The New York Times to offer bundled subscription deals. Under the agreement, subscribers to La Repubblica gain full digital access to both its content and the NYT’s for an annual fee of €69. The bundle gives users unrestricted access to La Repubblica’s premium site, app, podcasts, exclusive newsletters, interactive content…

Financial Mail, one of South Africa’s best-known weekly financial magazines, will publish its final edition on 30 October, ending a 65-year run. Parent company Arena Holdings said the brand’s editorial expertise will be folded into daily sister title Business Day. Arena CEO Pule Molebeledi called the move “an important new chapter” and stressed there would be no job losses, with staff moving into roles at Business Day. He praised Financial Mail’s record of “sharp analysis” and “thought-provoking financial coverage,” saying readers would benefit from deeper daily insights as the two titles’ strengths are combined. The closure reflects the wider financial…

The New York Times introduces an All Access Family plan for up to four users, priced at $30 per month The plan aims to boost engagement, retention, and revenue, especially among younger demographics The move reflects a broader shift towards bundled and multi-user subscriptions in digital media The New York Times is advancing its digital subscription growth with the launch of a new family subscription tier aimed at expanding its subscriber base and boosting revenue. The All Access Family plan will offer shared access for up to four users — who can be family members or friends — to the…

Vox introduces a paid membership offering exclusive content and perks to support quality journalism. The programme includes ad-free podcasts, digital magazines, and interactive experiences. Aims to foster a closer community and adapt to evolving digital media funding models. Vox has launched a new Membership program as part of its ongoing commitment to deliver quality journalism funded directly by its audience. Marking a decade since its founding in 2014, Vox sees this initiative as a way to deepen the relationship with readers, offering enhanced access and exclusive perks while securing financial support that sustains its in-depth reporting. The Membership program is…

The New York Times introduces a paywall for its Mini Crossword Social media reactions reveal frustration over the monetisation of a beloved daily habit Alternative free puzzles and subscription discounts are emerging as fans adapt to the new pay model The New York Times has moved its popular Mini Crossword behind a paywall, provoking anger among players who had long enjoyed it for free. The puzzle now requires a subscription on both app and desktop. Social media and Reddit threads filled quickly with frustration, with users describing the shift as another example of small joys being commodified. Some players noted…

AAP will supply real-time, fact-based copy to Google’s Gemini for Australian users Deal highlights growing trend of newsrooms licensing feeds to AI platforms amid digital transformation Industry raises questions on editorial oversight, monetisation and trust as content is embedded in AI responses Australian Associated Press (AAP) will provide its newswire content to Google’s Gemini AI chatbot under a new partnership aimed at improving the timeliness and reliability of the tool’s responses for Australian users. AAP, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, is positioning the agreement as part of its digital transformation strategy and as recognition of its independence and…