4:51 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…
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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 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…
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Westminster is exploring new regulations on social media usage by under-16s, following recent efforts in this area by Australia. The UK government is considering a series of measures aimed at enhancing the online safety of minors. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has expressed an open-minded approach toward the potential legislative changes. The pivot towards reassessing age restrictions on social media usage comes amidst growing concerns about online safety. Recently, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to increase the minimum age for social media access to 16, citing parental concerns over child safety online. The Australian model is being studied closely…
Shailesh Prakash’s departure as Vice President and General Manager of Google News comes as the company faces scrutiny over its business practices. Shailesh Prakash, a prominent executive from Google’s news division, has resigned amid ongoing tensions between the search giant and publishers. Prakash held the position of Vice President and General Manager for Google News, and his departure comes as the company faces increasing scrutiny over its business practices, particularly concerning advertising revenue and the use of artificial intelligence. Prakash’s resignation was first reported by The Wall Street Journal and the exact circumstances leading to his departure remain unclear. Google…
The newspaper launches ‘Ask The Post AI’, a chatbot aimed at improving reader interaction and content access. The Washington Post has announced the launch of an AI chatbot named “Ask The Post AI,” designed to streamline and enhance the way readers access and interact with content. This development comes as part of the publication’s efforts to adapt to the evolving digital landscape and to increasingly engage its audience. The new feature is built upon the foundation laid earlier this year with “Climate Answers,” another AI-driven chatbot focused on climate journalism. The “Ask The Post AI” chatbot is designed to efficiently…
The rise of subscription-based mobile applications presents both opportunities and challenges, prompting developers to adopt innovative strategies for user retention and growth. The digital landscape is witnessing a remarkable surge in the popularity of subscription-based mobile applications, and not just among news providers. As users increasingly gravitate towards digital services, the demand for apps offering premium and exclusive content is on the rise. This growth is not without its challenges. As users become more selective, the phenomenon of subscription fatigue is becoming more pronounced. It presents a unique challenge for app developers who must now strive to make their offerings…
A growing number of young Europeans are turning to basic mobile phones, seeking to escape the pressures of social media and reduce screen time. In a striking shift within the tech-savvy Generation Z, young Europeans are steerting away from persistent digital engagement with smartphones. Instead, they are opting for the simplicity of older, basic mobile phones — often referred to as “dumb phones” — that provide only fundamental functions such as calling and texting. This movement is gaining traction amid a growing need to disconnect from the relentless pull of social media and digital notifications that dominate contemporary life. This…
More than four in 10 among 18-34-year-olds have sought financial tips on social media. A recent survey conducted by investment firm Hargreaves Lansdown in collaboration with Opinium has highlighted the growing trend of young people, particularly those aged 18 to 34, turning to social media for financial advice. This demographic has shown a significant inclination towards using online platforms for guidance on various financial topics including spending decisions, budgeting and investments. The survey, carried out in September, reveals that among younger people, social media is the foremost choice for financial guidance, especially when deciding what to spend money on. More…
The firms behind ChatGPT have been accused of misappropriating copyrighted content to develop the AI platform. A group of eight prominent American newspapers has jointly filed a lawsuit against Microsoft and OpenAI, the organisation behind the ChatGPT artificial intelligence chatbot, accusing them of copyright infringement. The court documents, which were seen by Axios, reveal that the lawsuit has been initiated by a consortium of newspapers including the New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida Sun Sentinel, San Jose Mercury News, Denver Post, Orange County Register, and St. Paul Pioneer Press. These newspapers are under the ownership of…
The social media platform is preparing to roll out a freemium version of its Grok AI chatbot, previously exclusive to Premium subscribers. Social media platform X is working on a freemium version of its Grok AI chatbot in a move to broaden access and enhance engagement. Historically limited to its Premium subscribers, Grok’s capabilities will soon be available, albeit with restrictions, to X/Twitter’s wider user base. This development could mark a significant expansion in the usage of X’s generative AI tool. Currently, the availability of Grok is restricted to only about 1.3 million X Premium users, which accounts for 0.26%…
An accidental listing on the Chrome Web Store has unveiled Google’s next AI project designed to enhance web navigation with agentic capabilities. Google inadvertently unveiled its forthcoming AI project, Jarvis, following an unexpected listing on the Chrome Web Store. The incident, highlighted by The Information, involved a preliminary version of Jarvis accidentally appearing as a Chrome extension available for download. Although the listing was swiftly removed, it nonetheless provided an unexpected preview of the tech giant’s advanced AI developments, sparking widespread curiosity regarding its functionality and intended applications. The prematurely revealed description labelled Jarvis as a “helpful companion” tailored for…
New York court rejects lawsuit from Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media alleging copyright infringement in AI training data use. In a significant legal victory for OpenAI, the Southern District of New York has thrown out a lawsuit initiated by two media companies against the artificial intelligence developer. The lawsuit accused OpenAI of infringing copyright laws by utilising copyrighted articles from Raw Story Media and AlterNet Media as part of its training data for AI models. The crux of the plaintiffs’ complaint centred around allegations that OpenAI had breached provisions of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). More specifically, they…
