12:27 pm - September 16, 2026
The New York Post and TMZ collaborate on a new daily video franchise called “The Lowdown”. The series features four one-minute segments combining journalism and entertainment reporting. Aims to expand digital reach and capitalise on fast-paced celebrity and headline news. The New York Post has entered into a new video…
Publishers must focus on proving value, trust, and usefulness in an AI-saturated landscape Transition from advertising reliance towards subscriptions and circulation income Emphasis on audience segmentation, relevance, and experiences to strengthen brand loyalty At the Indian Printers Summit 2026, organised by WAN-IFRA, speakers returned repeatedly to a single point: in…
21% of UK adults have used AI tools for news in the past year ChatGPT is the most widely used AI news source at 13% Trust in AI-generated news remains lower than human journalism One in five adults in the UK are now using AI tools such as ChatGPT to…
Reach announces strategic move towards digital subscriptions and original content Revenue drop highlights need for a new publishing approach Content strategy based on exclusivity, expertise, and emotive storytelling The surest catalyst for change in a news organisation is a crisis. When things are going well – or at least not too badly – there is always the temptation to defend what you have, rather than risk something new. At the World Cup, England showed how limiting a strategy that can be. But when your back is against the wall, you don’t have a choice – you have to do…
South China Morning Post revamps print and online platforms with a focus on analysis and visual appeal Introduction of AI tools enhances digital research and user experience Repositioning reflects long-term strategy of adaptation and globalisation in media The South China Morning Post (SCMP) has unveiled a redesign of both its print newspaper and digital platforms as it seeks to keep pace with changing reading habits and an increasingly AI-driven media environment. The revamp is aimed at making the title feel more useful to readers who want fast updates on screens and deeper context in print. Chow Chung Yan, the paper’s…
People Inc reports 11th straight quarter of digital revenue growth, driven by licensing and AI collaborations Company advocates for fair compensation from Google over search content use Transition towards less traffic-dependent revenue streams aims to power future growth and diversification People Inc said its digital business extended its run of growth in the second quarter of 2026, helped by higher licensing income, AI-related partnerships, events and social media products, even as core traffic remained under pressure from changes in search. The company reported its 11th straight quarter of digital revenue growth, with digital adjusted EBITDA rising 18% year on year…
Hearst acquires Disney’s half-share in A+E Global Media for $1.2 billion Move marks Disney’s strategic shift from linear television to streaming and sports A+E continues expansion under Hearst, strengthening international content reach and multiplatform growth Hearst has agreed to buy The Walt Disney Company’s half-share in A+E Global Media for about $1.2 billion in cash, giving the privately held media group full control of a television business that includes A&E, Lifetime and the History Channel, according to Reuters. The sale, announced this week, is expected to complete in September. Once the transaction closes, A+E Global Media will sit entirely within…
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…
Prince Harry and six others failed to prove unlawful information gathering by Daily Mail Court rules claims of systemic phone hacking and bugging are unsubstantiated Verdict marks a major win for Associated Newspapers and shifts legal climate for press scrutiny Prince Harry and six other high-profile claimants have lost their…
Sky agrees to a £1.6 billion takeover of ITV’s media and entertainment division. The deal aims to create a stronger UK rival to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. Completion is expected in the second half of 2027, subject to approval. Sky has agreed a £1.6 billion takeover of…
Associated Press plans new production hub in India to focus on video and photo content US-based visual journalism teams face layoffs as part of strategic realignment Union criticises outsourcing and warns of job losses in the US and globally The Associated Press is pressing ahead with plans to build a…
CMA insists on sale of Shutterstock’s editorial assets, leading Getty to withdraw from the deal Merger collapse highlights contrasting approaches to AI-driven content markets Getty faces financial pressure following the deal’s termination amid regulatory hurdles Getty Images is set to walk away from its $3.7 billion tie-up with Shutterstock after…
Top stories
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…
Deep dive with
our insights
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 discovery results, in a move that could give the AI chatbot access to a more authoritative pool of visual material. The partnership is aimed at improving the quality and relevance of image-rich responses inside ChatGPT, while keeping the arrangement limited to display rather than model training. Getty said OpenAI will…
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 and draw in younger audiences who increasingly consume news and entertainment through creator feeds rather than legacy publisher channels. The initiative, called Forbes Creator, was unveiled this month as a social-first network built around video, podcasts and live experiences. Forbes says the project is intended to combine its journalistic brand…
All stories
The tool, developed by Reporters Without Borders and APIG, is designed to assist journalists with a focus on climate content. A new artificial intelligence tool called Spinoza has been introduced by 12 French press companies at this week’s AI Action Summit in Paris. This initiative aims to assist journalists rather than replace them, emphasising the importance of ethical considerations in newsrooms. Spinoza is the result of a collaboration between Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Alliance for General Information Press (APIG), which represents nearly 300 newspapers across France. The tool is designed to enhance journalistic work by focusing on climate-related…
The forward-thinking Scandinavian publisher has announced a deal with the AI provider. The Scandinavian publisher Schibsted Media has formed a strategic partnership with OpenAI to enhance the accessibility of its journalism through OpenAI’s platforms, including ChatGPT. This collaboration aims to integrate real-time news articles from selected Schibsted brands, such as VG, Aftenposten, Aftonbladet, and Svenska Dagbladet, into OpenAI’s products. The deal is interesting because Schibsted has been one of the leaders among global media in developing its own AI tools. According to a press release from Schibsted Media, the integration will make up-to-date news summaries available to ChatGPT’s users, with…
The Super Bowl this weekend is the season’s climax for a sport that has innovation at its core. A couple of weeks ago I realised the extent of the growing reach of the NFL. Walking along the suburban streets near my home in London I looked into the windows of the ground-floor flats and saw not one, not two, but three of them had TVs showing that Sunday evening’s game. This is a phenomenon, I thought. In the UK, the NFL benefits from having little sporting competition on a Sunday evening, when matches in our football typically finish around…
The publisher’s quarterly report reveals successes in digital sectors while traditional revenues decline. Rupert Murdoch’s former newspaper group, News Corporation, reported mixed results this week amid hints from chief executive Robert Thomson that Dow Jones, real estate and book publishing are now its priorities. The Dow Jones segment, home to The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, achieved record revenues of $600 million, marking a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth was fuelled by a 5% rise in circulation and subscription revenues, with digital subscriptions now accounting for 81% of total revenues. The Wall Street Journal…
With 45% of its audience under 30, The Independent is focusing on authentic storytelling to keep them coming. The Independent has seemingly worked out how to attract young audiences, with 45% of the publication’s audience, which totals around 25 million users, being either Gen Z or millennials, according to its editor-in-chief Geordie Greig. Speaking on BBC’s The Media Show podcast, Greig talked about the evolving demands of these younger demographics, saying: “There’s a hunger for authenticity. It’s trust and truth they want.” This focus on credibility aligns with prevailing trends indicating that younger generations are gravitating towards sources that resonate…
The publisher of the Mail titles sees a 34% increase in operating profit, crediting cost reductions and digital advancements amid slight revenue declines. DMGT, the UK publisher best known for the Mail titles, has reported a significant increase in operating profit for its consumer media division, crediting strategic cost reductions and an effective digital transition. For the year ending 30 September 2024, DMGT’s consumer media business achieved an operating profit of £53 million, marking a 34% increase year on year, despite a slight revenue decline of 2% to £613 million. The company’s overall financial performance showcased an 11% rise in…
The global AI text generator market is anticipated to reach nearly $2 billion a year by 2032. The global market for AI text generation is expected to rise significantly over the next few years. Worth $425m in 2023 it is expected to grow nearly 20% a year to reach $1.8 billion in 2032. This data highlights the significant role AI tools will play in sectors such as e-commerce, media, healthcare and education, where they automate the production of articles, marketing materials and more. The tools enable businesses to swiftly generate extensive amounts of tailored content, which is crucial for sectors…
The UK tabloid has announced that it is asking readers to subscribe for exclusive features. The Sun has introduced a new paid content strategy a decade after it abandoned a previous attempt at a paywall. The new Sun Club, which will require readers to pay for access to exclusive features, including columns by popular contributors such as Jeremy Clarkson and content from Dear Deidre, its agony aunt. It will officially launch on Tuesday at an introductory price of £1.99 per month. The Sun says its club will provide members with “no-holds-barred access” to selected premium content, including exclusive video segments…
The fourth edition of event in Riyadh features major tech and entertainment companies. The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is positioning itself as a hub for modern media through the hosting of significant media forums and advanced studios. The fourth edition of the Saudi Media Forum is set to take place from February 19-21 and will be the largest media gathering in the Middle East. This year the forum will welcome prominent technology and content giants, including Sony and Google, who will provide insights into artificial intelligence and the future of news. Additionally, major players from the entertainment industry, such as Netflix,…
The gaming vertical of the Daily Mail has built a strong social presence driven primarily by engagement on TikTok. The Daily Mail’s gaming vertical, Mail Gaming, has surpassed a social footprint of half a million followers within just one year of its launch. This growth is driven by TikTok, showcasing how publishers can build young and diverse audiences online. It is also an example of how news media organisations are experimenting with different revenue options as core businesses contract. Tracy Middleton, head of media and entertainment at Mail Metro Media, told The Media Leader, “It’s been a very exciting 12…
