12:26 am - September 18, 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
Australia’s parliament has approved new legislation to regulate social media use among minors, aiming to protect children from addiction and social isolation. Australia is set to impose stringent regulations on social media usage by minors, following the approval of new legislation by its parliament that prohibits under-16s from using the networks. The law aims to protect children from what authorities claim are the detrimental effects of social media, including addiction and social isolation. The Australian government argues that the proposed measures can counterbalance the distressing reality many parents face—deciding between allowing their children to engage with addictive technologies or risking…
The strategy chief at the Dutch public broadcaster NPO has been brought in to enhance AI capabilities in news publishing. Ezra Eeman has been appointed to spearhead a series of AI initiatives at WAN-IFRA, aiming to bolster the integration of artificial intelligence technologies within the news publishing sector. With an extensive background in media innovation and digital transformation, Eeman is expected to assist WAN-IFRA members in navigating the rapidly advancing AI landscape, facilitating a clearer understanding of AI opportunities while fostering collaboration among media professionals. Eeman expressed enthusiasm about his new role, noting the critical nature of mastering AI in…
The Norwegian news provider isn’t using synthetic voices to read out its articles, but instead has cloned the voice of one of its reporters. Aftenbladet has unveiled an innovative “cloned voice” feature designed to enhance the accessibility of its journalism, allowing readers to listen to articles rather than read them. This new service, driven by artificial intelligence technology, replicates the voice of journalist Ola Myrset, who has dedicated over 20 hours to recording 130 articles that form the basis of this initiative. Launched in a beta version, the service will undergo a two-week testing phase before a broader rollout. The…
Gert Ysebaert, the media group’s CEO, is leaning in to AI as an agent of transformation, while focusing on core journalistic values. Gert Ysebaert, CEO of Mediahuis, is at the forefront of media transformation as he leads efforts at the multinational publisher to adapt to a rapidly changing landscape. In an interview with The Drum, Ysebaert shared insights into the company’s recent growth and the role that AI is playing in shaping the future of journalism. Ysebaert noted that over half of the company’s subscribers now consume content digitally or through a hybrid of digital and print options. The focus…
The Republican-led administration may reverse key AI regulations established under President Biden, impacting issues of copyright, user privacy and ethical standards for AI-generated content. The evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation is set for a seismic shift following the 2024 United States elections, as the incoming Republican administration grapples with pressing issues surrounding copyright, user privacy and ethical considerations in AI-generated content. Donald Trump’s return to the White House is likely to herald a move towards a pro-business regulatory environment, contrasting sharply with the previous administration’s focus on corporate accountability and safety standards. The crux of the discussion around…
The bankruptcy proceedings of the Infowars firebrand are sparking a legal debate on social media account ownership, focusing on his X accounts claimed by both Jones and platform X. The ongoing bankruptcy proceedings of Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, have catalysed a complex legal discussion regarding the ownership of social media accounts, particularly in the context of digital assets. A US bankruptcy judge, Christopher Lopez, is set to evaluate the fate of Jones’s accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter, as his trustee seeks to liquidate assets to cover nearly $1.5 billion in damages owed to families of the…
The search giant has issued subpoenas to OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Microsoft, seeking crucial data to support its defence against claims of monopolistic behaviour in digital advertising. In a significant development in the ongoing antitrust trial concerning Google’s search practices, the tech giant has issued subpoenas to three of its leading competitors in the AI space: OpenAI, Perplexity AI, and Microsoft. The subpoenas, unsealed in October, were made public in legal documents filed after the closing arguments of the trial held in federal court. The case is being closely monitored as it follows the Department of Justice (DOJ) and various…
The pro-independence Scottish publication marks its tenth anniversary with £10 annual offer to attract new readers amid subscription fatigue. The National, a Scottish news publication, is marking its tenth anniversary by offering a significant reduction in subscription prices, aiming to attract new readers and bolster its subscriber base. This limited-time offer, available until December 3, allows new subscribers to gain access to the digital edition for just £10 for a full year, after which annual renewal will revert to the standard price of £62.99. Since its inception, The National has carved out a space within Scotland’s media landscape by positioning…
Among initiatives is the Facebook Content Monetization Beta Programme which is aimed at enhancing earnings and engagement for creators through performance-based models. Meta Platforms has reported a significant achievement in its support for content creators, announcing that it has disbursed over $2 billion in earnings so far in 2024. This development, highlighted in a recent blog post by the company, emphasises Meta’s commitment to rewarding creators through innovative monetisation strategies. Central to this initiative is the newly introduced Facebook Content Monetization beta programme, which is designed to simplify and broaden earning opportunities across various content formats. Since launching its monetisation…
The billionaire’s proposed acquisition of Substack in 2023 has led to significant changes at the newsletter platform, which is now focusing on honing its political content amid challenges of profitability and reputation. Elon Musk’s proposal to acquire Substack in April 2023 has sparked crucial developments in the newsletter platform’s focus on political content, indicating a dynamic shift in the landscape of digital publishing and monetisation strategies. Musk, now the owner of Twitter — rebranded as X — was interested in the newsletter platform primarily for its lucrative paid subscription model. During a conversation with Substack’s CEO Chris Best, Musk suggested…
