8:37 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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At the WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summit in Zurich, attendees saw how newsrooms are integrating AI into everyday practices In a previous life as a head of digital I used to get really irritated when people talked about “the digital future”. It’s not the digital future, I’d mutter to myself, it’s the digital present! A similar feeling struck me this week when I attended the recent WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summit in Zurich. This time, though, I was the one guilty of living in the past. I had become used to thinking about a future in which AI plays a significant role in…
The Jersey Journal and The Star-Ledger announce plans to stop their print editions, highlighting a significant shift within the media landscape as they transition to digital formats. In a move emblematic of the shifting media landscape, two of New Jersey’s most prominent newspapers, the Jersey Journal and The Star-Ledger, have announced plans to cease their physical print operations. This decision reflects a broader trend within the newspaper industry as it adapts to the increasing dominance of digital media. The Jersey Journal, a longstanding publication with deep roots in New Jersey’s journalistic history, is scheduled to print its last edition on…
Perplexity AI, a startup challenging established players in the AI field, is under legal scrutiny regarding its use of online content, raising questions about copyright and the future of media consumption. In the competitive landscape of artificial intelligence development, Perplexity AI, a nascent company challenging the likes of OpenAI, has recently found itself embroiled in legal battles regarding the use of online content. The conflict arises from the company’s foundational aspect of providing referenced and sourced responses to user queries, an approach that has nonetheless sparked controversy. On 7 December 2022, merely a week after OpenAI launched its renowned AI…
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, rising public anxiety regarding the role of artificial intelligence in elections highlights fears of misinformation and the integrity of the democratic process. Abstract/Summary As the 2024 presidential election approaches, concerns are rising among Americans regarding the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the electoral process. Polls indicate a significant level of anxiety surrounding AI’s potential to manipulate information, shape public perception, and contribute to misinformation. This report delves into the various roles AI plays in political campaigns, particularly its unseen impact on social media and targeted advertising. The discussion also highlights public sentiment, media…
Azu Ishiekwene’s latest book provides aspiring and established writers with essential guidance on navigating media writing and transforming their craft into a source of income. Azu Ishiekwene Discusses Media Writing and Monetisation in New Book In an evolving landscape of media and technology, Azu Ishiekwene’s latest book, Writing for Media and Monetising It, provides a comprehensive guide for both aspiring and established writers looking to thrive in this dynamic field. Released recently, the book delves into the intricacies of media writing, while also exploring how writers can transform their craft into a viable source of income. Structure and Guidance The…
A recent report by the British Council highlights how a new generation of readers and writers is revolutionising the African book publishing landscape through technology and innovative self-publishing methods. African Book Publishing: Navigating a Period of Transformation The landscape of African book publishing is experiencing a significant transformation, according to a recent report by the British Council. Historically reliant on multinational publishing houses and donor funding, the African publishing industry is now witnessing a shift driven by a new generation of readers and writers who are altering traditional paradigms through technology, social media, and innovative self-publishing techniques. The report, titled…
Research reveals that courteous interactions with AI chatbots can enhance performance and reduce bias. As artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots continue to become integral to newsrooms and media companies, a new debate has emerged regarding the nature of interactions with these digital entities. Recent research by Waseda University and the RIKEN Center sheds light on how courteous interactions could enhance AI performance and reduce inherent bias, challenging the notion that these systems are merely inanimate algorithms. AI chatbots are increasingly used in newsrooms, performing a range of tasks including text generation, transcription, and summarisation. However, how one interacts with these systems…
Nearly a quarter of consumers aged 13-24 have engaged with AI-produced tracks. How people will respond to AI-generated content is one of the questions of our age. A study conducted by the renowned research organisation GfK, on behalf of the umbrella group STOMP, has unveiled interesting insights into the listening habits of Dutch consumers regarding AI-generated music. In headline terms, this content is finding an audience. According to the study’s results, approximately one in ten Dutch consumers has listened to music created through AI technology. The allure of AI music seems to be particularly strong among the younger generations. Within…
A new study shows that TikTok has become instrumental in engaging young voters, reshaping how candidates deliver messages and connect with the electorate. As the 2024 US presidential campaign draws to its close, TikTok has emerged as a pivotal platform for engaging young voters, according to recent insights from a Pew study. Nearly 40% of adults under the age of 30 now frequently use TikTok as a news source, highlighting a shift in how political messages are consumed. This transition comes as traditional social media giants, such as Meta, have deprioritised political content, leaving a gap that TikTok has filled.…
Initially available to paid subscribers, OpenAI plans to extend access to its new search feature to free users and educational institutions. OpenAI has introduced a real-time AI-powered search feature to its popular ChatGPT platform. This new addition, initially available to paid subscribers and those on the waitlist for SearchGPT, will be extended to free users, educational institutions and enterprise clients in the coming weeks. OpenAI has not launched a completely new application but integrated this search capability into the existing ChatGPT interface. Users can either rely on ChatGPT to automatically decide when to search the web based on their queries…
