9:10 pm - September 14, 2026
B2B publishers excel in redefining their value propositions and embracing change Bold pivots, like Euromoney’s shift from journalism to intelligence services, highlight adaptability AI is viewed as an asset rather than a threat, used to enhance specialised content and customer experience There is a lot to learn from B2B…
Berkshire increases stake in The New York Times to $1.1 billion Rising digital subscriptions and advertising boost publisher’s performance Investment signals confidence in media’s digital transition and subscription model Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway has continued to build its position in The New York Times, extending a bet on legacy media…
Macron advocates for a unified European ban on social media use for children under 15 The EU aims to deploy a privacy-respecting age verification app by 2026 Critics highlight challenges in rolling out secure and effective age checks across member states French President Emmanuel Macron is pushing for an EU-wide…
Byron Allen cuts 35% of BuzzFeed’s workforce to improve profitability Restructuring aims to shift focus towards streaming via Local Now Company plans significant cost savings and content realignment Byron Allen has begun a sharp overhaul of BuzzFeed, cutting about 180 jobs and contract roles across BuzzFeed, HuffPost and Tasty in what amounts to roughly 35% of the workforce. The reductions, disclosed in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, are the first major restructuring since Allen’s family office took control of the digital publisher in May. BuzzFeed said the move is designed to simplify operations, lower costs and…
Highlights the importance of integrating AI in newsrooms to foster meaningful change Emphasises the need for journalists and managers to view AI as a tool for value creation Warns of cultural hurdles and stress on verifying information in the AI era Need some summer reading? This week’s newsletter comes in the form of a book review. Not perhaps a suggestion for the sun lounger, but nevertheless one that every journalist should read. It’s called AI in the News Room and it was written by Martin Schori, former head of the AI Hub at Aftonbladet in Stockholm and now the…
Berlin-based startup Beatsquares raises $2 million in seed funding to enhance its AI platform The platform converts editorial content into multiple formats across digital channels Funding will support team expansion and international growth efforts Berlin-based AI startup Beatsquares has raised $2 million (about €1.8 million) in seed funding to expand its platform for automatically repurposing editorial content across multiple digital channels. The round was co-led by IBB Ventures and XTR Capital, with participation from ddvg, Dutch media investor V-Ventures and a group of business angels. It follows a $500,000 pre-seed investment secured in late 2024. Founded in 2024, Beatsquares aims…
Suggestion for industry-focused ‘Festival of Failure’ to promote open discussion of setbacks Critique of current journalism events highlighting repetition and lack of actionable takeaways Advocates for shorter days, more networking, and panels focused on failures to foster growth and innovation “I want to start an uncomfortable conversation: Are there too many journalism events?” So said Marcela Kunova, the owner and operator of journalism.co.uk (JUK), last week. She continued: “I just looked at my agenda and JUK events calendar. It’s gone out of hand. Conferences, festivals, summits, workshops, talks, congresses, study tours, awards. Dozens of great events are clustered between April…
Disney-owned 20th Television partners with Vox Media Studios to develop scripted and unscripted projects Focus on adapting journalism and podcasts from Vox Media brands for Disney+ and other outlets Partnership reflects industry trend of transforming established media content into premium streaming entertainment Disney-owned 20th Television has struck a multi-year first-look agreement with Vox Media Studios, broadening a relationship that will give both companies room to develop scripted and unscripted projects built around Vox Media’s reporting and podcast brands. The deal is expected to feed into Disney Entertainment Television outlets including Disney+, with a particular emphasis on adapting material from New…
Media Concierge Group posts £12.9m EBITDA for first full period post-acquisition Integration of National World (now Iconic Media Group) has gone smoothly, boosting performance Company aims to strengthen local titles while expanding its UK and Ireland publishing footprint Media Concierge Group has said the integration of National World has gone…
Economist launches Economist Play, a $15/month multimedia bundle combining videos, podcasts, and newsletters Strategy aims to reach a younger, gender-balanced audience with mobile-first content Emphasis on newsroom authenticity through faces and voices, moving away from anonymity The Economist has launched a lower-cost subscription bundle built around audio and video, in…
Data shows games and interactive content drive deeper user loyalty. Publishers are overestimating the importance of breaking news for app retention. Investment should focus on habit-forming features to reduce churn and build routines. I used to bristle when I worked at The Sunday Times and a friend said he had…
Der Spiegel refuses to let AI write or rewrite its articles, citing responsibility and trust. Industry faces tension between efficiency and accountability in adopting AI tools. Growing concerns over accuracy, transparency, and the future role of human journalists. Whether journalists should use artificial intelligence to write stories has become one…
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Getty Images strikes a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI The partnership enhances ChatGPT’s image relevance and trustworthiness Shares rise as Getty aims to monetise its archive amid AI-driven disruption Getty Images has struck a multi-year licensing deal with OpenAI that will allow its pictures to appear in ChatGPT’s search and…
Complaint alleges that OpenAI and Microsoft used nearly 400 newspapers’ reporting without permission Case marks the largest coordinated legal action by local news publishers on AI training issues Suit aims to protect local journalism and challenge the use of copyrighted material in AI development A coalition of local newspaper publishers…
Forbes launches Forbes Creator to leverage social media personalities New platform combines journalistic content with creator autonomy Aims to expand reach, diversify content, and develop commercial opportunities Forbes is deepening its push into creator-led distribution, using social media personalities and specialist voices to widen its reach beyond its own platforms…
Social media and video now the primary news sources globally Trust in news drops to a historic low of 37%, with Americans trusting only 25% News organisations face the challenge of rebuilding trust amidst AI content proliferation Forget the World Cup, for news nerds this week has brought unbridled excitement…
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A debate in Lexington underscores tensions between traditional reporting and AI-assisted news The Kentucky Lantern champions human-made journalism, while Lexington Times utilises AI for coverage The dispute reflects broader challenges facing shrinking local news ecosystems across the US A small but telling dispute in Lexington, Kentucky, has opened a wider argument about the future of local journalism, especially the role of artificial intelligence in newsrooms that are trying to survive with fewer staff and thinner budgets. The spark came when Linda Blackford, editor-in-chief of the Kentucky Lantern, wrote about AI and journalism and stressed that the Lantern’s work is produced…
Bonnier News poised to become majority owner of Irish media group after partnership expansion Deal under review by regulators, with new leadership and board structure upcoming Business Post Group cites significant financial recovery and growth prospects Swedish publisher Bonnier News is set to become the majority owner of Business Post Group, in a deal that will leave founder Enda O’Coineen with a significant minority stake through his Kilcullen Family Office. The transaction marks a further step in a relationship that began in 2023, when Bonnier took a minority equity position in the Irish company. It still requires approval from the…
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Some 60 foreign journalists plead with Jeff Bezos to protect global coverage Staff fear large-scale layoffs could weaken international reporting efforts Industry analysts warn that cuts may diminish the paper’s ability to report from conflict zones About 60 journalists on The Washington Post’s foreign desk have appealed directly to the newspaper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, urging him to protect international reporting as management weighs a new round of cost cuts that staff fear could be extensive but remain unconfirmed. In a letter sent on Sunday, foreign staff described their message as “a collective plea for you to preserve our newspaper’s global…
The Philadelphia Inquirer reports its first year-over-year revenue growth in over 20 years, reaching profitability. Shift from advertising reliance to subscription revenue has been key to its revival. Unique ownership structure under the Lenfest Institute prioritises civic impact and community engagement. Elizabeth Hughes, the publisher and CEO of The Philadelphia Inquirer, this week shared a rare piece of good news in the beleaguered world of American local journalism: for the first time in more than two decades, the 197-year-old newspaper has achieved year-over-year revenue growth and returned to operating profitability. Writing against the backdrop of the recent closure of the…
The Chernin Group takes a minority stake in Goalhanger, marking its first external funding since 2014 The partnership aims to transform Goalhanger’s podcasts into multi-platform global IPs Company plans to expand into TV, film, and live events with new leadership and scale-up initiatives The Chernin Group (TCG), the US investment firm led by veteran media executive Peter Chernin, has acquired a minority stake in Goalhanger, the podcasting powerhouse co-founded by Gary Lineker. The deal, announced this week, marks the first time Goalhanger has accepted external funding since its inception in 2014, signalling a major shift in the company’s scale and…
Mainstream Indian publishers are shifting from advertising reliance to direct commerce models Hindustan Times leads with a content-to-commerce approach focused on automotive, tech, finance, and lifestyle The strategy aims to monetise emerging e‑commerce growth while balancing editorial integrity and audience trust India’s mainstream publishers are increasingly turning editorial expertise into commerce, betting that guiding readers through purchase decisions can offset slowing growth in display advertising, which is affecting this huge market as much as those in the West. Hindustan Times is among the most advanced adopters of the model, using specialised journalism, data science and partner integrations to drive transactions…
BBC plans to produce YouTube-exclusive content for younger audiences, starting around the Winter Olympics Up to 50 channels on YouTube to boost reach and revenue, with content also on iPlayer and Sounds Move marks a new phase in BBC’s digital expansion and monetisation efforts amid funding debates The BBC will this year begin producing content made expressly for YouTube, marking a significant shift in how Britain’s public service broadcaster approaches online audiences and younger viewers. The UK public broadcaster said the first output would be aimed at the younger BBC Three audience and is expected to roll out around the…
Sports Illustrated introduces SI TV, a free 24/7 streaming channel featuring original and archival sports content. The service aims to capitalise on rising video engagement and expand audience reach across multiple platforms. Industry analysts see SI TV as part of a broader shift by sports publishers into FAST distribution for monetisation and audience engagement. Sports Illustrated has expanded its video footprint with the launch of SI TV, a free ad-supported streaming channel offering round‑the‑clock programming drawn from the magazine’s journalism and decades of archived material. The 24/7 FAST (free ad‑supported streaming TV) service debuts with a mix of original series,…
The New York Times unveils Crossplay, its first multiplayer game, to boost digital engagement. The new game incorporates features like AI analysis and social play, aiming to deepen user loyalty. Times’ focus on curated games like Wordle and crosswords sustains growth in digital subscriptions and revenue. The New York Times launched its first purpose-built multiplayer game this week, a move that highlights how far the publisher’s digital expansion has shifted beyond news. Crossplay is a Scrabble-like word game that allows players to invite friends, compete against an artificial intelligence opponent and play via a dedicated app. It becomes the 11th…
Swedish editor brings decades of media executive experience to WAN-IFRA role Organisation aims to strengthen support for independent journalism in a changing landscape Appointment signals focus on leadership development and defending democracy WAN-IFRA has named Lena K Samuelsson as Executive Strategic Advisor as the global press body sharpens its focus on media leadership amid rapid technological change, shifting platform power, and rising political pressure on newsrooms. According to WAN-IFRA, Samuelsson will provide strategic insight and serve as a WAN-IFRA expert on media leadership, offering guidance across the organisation’s programmes and initiatives as it seeks to help publishers “collaborate, innovate and…
OpenAI confirms ads will appear in free ChatGPT tiers soon, with paid tiers remaining ad-free Ads will be clearly labelled, adjustable, and excluded for users under 18 and sensitive topics Industry experts warn of balancing commercial interests with user trust in conversational AI OpenAI has confirmed that advertising will begin appearing in ChatGPT in the US for free and Go tiers “over the coming weeks”, while paid plans such as Pro, Business and Enterprise will remain ad-free. The change converts what many treated as a laboratory for organic visibility into a commercial marketplace, complete with pricing, targeting and measurement, and…
Prominent editor of Die Welt steps down after misconduct inquiry Resignation coincides with Axel Springer’s transatlantic expansion Company faces scrutiny over handling of workplace allegations and internal reform One of Axel Springer’s most prominent German editors has stepped down following an internal inquiry into his conduct at a company Christmas party. Jan Philipp Burgard, 41, who served as editor-in-chief of the centre-right broadsheet Die Welt, left Axel Springer after executives opened an investigation this month into reports that he had behaved inappropriately toward female employees at an alcohol-fuelled December party. During the inquiry, Burgard, who was only appointed editor last…
