7:39 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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OpenAI has introduced a new search function in ChatGPT aimed at competing with Google’s dominance, albeit currently available only to paid subscribers, amidst ongoing legal challenges. OpenAI, the company known for developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies, has taken a significant step towards challenging the longstanding dominance of Google in the web search arena. The organisation has announced the integration of a new search function directly into its popular ChatGPT generative AI chatbot. This feature, however, is currently limited to paid subscribers, with plans to expand access to users of the free version in the future. The new search function promises…
The Toronto Sun leads the way in exploring a subscription-based approach, focusing on exclusive content and reader engagement amid the shift towards digital news consumption. Toronto: Citywide Newspaper Subscription Model Under Review A recent focus in Toronto is centred around the evolving dynamics of newspaper subscription services, as the digital landscape continues to shift the way readers consume news. The Toronto Sun, a notable publication in the city, has been at the forefront of this discussion, emphasising the value of subscription-based access to its content. The Toronto Sun is highlighting its subscription option, which provides readers with unlimited access to…
In a decision prompted by public outcry and ethical concerns, Radio Krakow has ended its AI-driven broadcasting experiment featuring digital presenters, reflecting ongoing debates about technology’s role in media. Radio Krakow has decided to halt an innovative but contentious artificial intelligence (AI) initiative that involved non-human presenters after it faced significant public and internal difficulties. Radio Krakow had introduced digital presenters on its Off Radio Krakow segment. Among these were Alex Szulc, an imagined nonbinary individual described as “full of social commitment,” and Emilia Nowak, a digital creation dubbed a “pop culture expert.” These AI personas were created to engage…
Miles Brundage, former head of policy research at OpenAI, departs to pursue policy research in the nonprofit sector, amidst ongoing discussions about AI safety and regulation. Miles Brundage, a prominent figure in the realm of artificial general intelligence (AGI) research, has made the decision to leave OpenAI to pursue policy research in the nonprofit sector. Brundage held a pivotal role within OpenAI, serving as the head of policy research and AGI readiness, throughout his tenure that lasted over six years. OpenAI, a leading entity in artificial intelligence innovation, has recently witnessed several high-profile departures from key safety researchers and executives.…
`Experts warn that AI-generated deepfakes are becoming increasingly prevalent in the election landscape, prompting calls for regulatory measures to protect voters. As the US presidential campaign accelerates towards its conclusion, the use of AI-generated deepfake photos, videos, and audio has become a significant element of digital disinformation, according to experts. These sophisticated digital fabrications are designed to deceive voters and have emerged as unavoidable tools in the election arena. Henry Ajder, an AI expert and advisor to Adobe, has observed the increasing prevalence of deepfake content in political campaigns globally, including in the United States, India, Indonesia, and the United…
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI, believes there is a promising landscape for startups in fine-tuning AI modelst. Start-ups looking to refine AI capabilities have a promising future, according to Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Microsoft AI. Speaking to the podcast “Masters of Scale,” hosted by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, Suleyman described a profitable avenue for startups in the domain of fine-tuning AI models. This process involves adjusting AI algorithms using vast datasets exemplifying ‘good behaviour,’ ultimately aiming to reduce errors such as hallucinations—instances where AI models generate information not supported by training data. Suleyman suggests that while the task might…
Media executives fear a second Trump presidency could significantly disrupt the industry and lead to increased ‘news avoidance’ among the public. Amidst the political anticipation surrounding the possibility of Donald Trump securing a second term as President of the United States, concern is escalating within prominent media circles. New York Magazine’s Intelligencer published a report on Wednesday revealing the alarm felt by media executives over the potential repercussions such an event could have on their industry. The uncertainty surrounding a second term for Trump has prompted one network executive to express concerns about the foundational changes it could impose on…
The trend of speeding up media consumption is gaining momentum, driven by cognitive adaptation and technological advancements. Fast-forward is no longer just for skipping ads. The practice of speeded-up media consumption is become increasingly prominent across many different kinds of media. Nicholas Quah, a critic with New York Magazine and Vulture, has publicly advocated for accelerating the playback of not just podcasts but virtually all forms of media. This trend, while contentious to some, aligns with evolving cognitive habits and technological conveniences. Podcasts have seen a notable shift in listening speeds. Data from Audible reveals that around five per cent…
Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Alphabet are set to increase their combined AI expenditure to more than $200 billion, marking a bold strategic shift in the face of previous investor concerns. The four largest internet and software companies — Amazon, Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet — have revealed plans in their quarterly earnings reports to intensify their expenditure on artificial intelligence (AI) development, despite previous doubts from Wall Street. This year their combined capital expenditures are projected to exceed a monumental $200 billion, with expectations set to continue, if not increase, into the next fiscal period. Three months ago, criticism from investors…
A recent study revealed that AI can generate well-structured narratives, but lacks the creativity and depth found in human-authored stories. Researchers Haoran Chu from the University of Florida and Sixiao Liu from the University of Central Florida have delved into the capabilities of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of storytelling. Their study set out to address emerging concerns regarding AI’s potential to rival or surpass human creativity in storytelling, a domain traditionally seen as a uniquely human skill. The investigation comes on the heels of significant unrest last year among Hollywood screenwriters, who feared AI could replace their roles.…
