The Daily Beast reports double-digit subscriber growth and over 100,000 paying users in early 2026 The publisher now views subscriptions as the core revenue model, moving away from advertising dependency Diversified approach includes subscriptions via website, Substack, and YouTube, aiming for long-term stability The Daily Beast is recasting subscriptions as…
The Globe’s Power Play is a twice-weekly, subscriber-only newsletter focused on local business and political forces. It aims to deliver quick, analysis-driven updates on Massachusetts commerce and policy. The newsletter complements existing Globe coverage, with a focus on insider insights and industry trends. The Boston Globe is introducing a subscriber-only…
INMA’s new report reveals a three-pronged AI user journey approach for publishers Emphasis on structured content, audience loyalty, and first-party data in adapting to AI Industry urged to redesign journalism for fragmented, automated audience interactions The International News Media Association (INMA) has set out a framework for publishers trying to…
The Wall Street Journal uses TikTok to engage younger readers Emphasises exclusivity, authenticity, and verification in social videos Aims to reinforce subscriptions and attract new audiences through social-first storytelling The Wall Street Journal is stepping up efforts to reach younger audiences on TikTok, using short-form video to extend its journalism beyond traditional platforms and funnel users towards subscriptions. For many publishers, social video is no longer just a marketing channel but a core part of audience development, particularly as younger consumers turn to platforms such as TikTok for news. Kelcie Pegher, the Journal’s social strategy editor, said in an article…
Aga Khan Development Network sells stake in Nation Media Group, signaling shift towards growth sectors
The Aga Khan Development Network ends a 66-year association with Nation Media Group, selling its controlling stake. Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi plans to expand digital and revenue initiatives within the media conglomerate. Market reacts positively, with shares surging over 28% after the announcement. The Aga Khan Development Network is relinquishing its controlling interest in Nation Media Group, formally ending a 66‑year association as the Swiss‑based development investor pivots capital towards sectors it regards as higher growth and more directly measurable in development terms. Under an agreement announced in March, Taarifa Ltd, a vehicle owned by Tanzanian businessman Rostam Azizi, will…
nd moves its daily edition exclusively online from April 2026, while keeping a weekly print issue. The shift responds to falling print sales and rising production costs, emphasizing innovation and reader support. The cooperative ownership model aims to preserve editorial independence amid industry consolidation. The small German newspaper nd will stop printing weekday editions from this month moving its daily journalism online while keeping a weekly paper, a move that underlines the economic strain on print and the growing urgency of digital transition among European publishers. In the wake of Die Tagezeitung’s (taz) decision to end weekday printing last October,…
Jonathan Greenberger to lead Politico from 1 May, focusing on expanding its reach Shift in leadership aims to enhance reporting speed and technological infrastructure Politico continues to diversify with new hires in audio, video, and Capitol Hill coverage Jonathan Greenberger will become Politico’s editor-in-chief on May 1, marking a shift in the US political news outlet’s leadership as it looks to expand its reach across platforms and markets. Greenberger, a former television news executive, joined Politico in April 2024 as executive vice-president after nearly a decade leading ABC News’ Washington bureau. There he oversaw political coverage and served as an…
The industry faces existential questions about purpose and value Traditional notions of a “paper of record” are increasingly outdated Successful organisations will innovatively redefine their role and revenue streams This first appeared in our weekly newsletter Editor’s picks. Sign up here I’ve been turning to existential questions in recent days. Why are we here? What are we doing? Who will miss us when we’re gone? To be clear, I’m not asking these questions about the human race – though they feel more apposite at the moment – but news providers. I think my introspection has come because I’ve been…
Dow Jones aims for $1bn in annual earnings within five years amid shift to digital and AI-driven products The segment’s revenue now 82% digital, with a focus on subscriptions and data services Growth driven by AI licensing, risk and energy intelligence, and enterprise news News Corp said Dow Jones, the…
Jamie Stockwell set to start as vice president of news at USA TODAY in March 2026 Will focus on impartial reporting, innovation, and expanding audience reach Brings extensive experience from The Washington Post, The New York Times, and Axios Local USA Today has appointed Jamie Stockwell as vice president of…
Notus recruits nine seasoned journalists including seven from The Washington Post Move highlights shifts in Washington’s media landscape with talent leaving traditional outlets Organisational rebrand plans suggest ambitions to rival established national newspapers The nonprofit political newsroom NOTUS has hired nine journalists, including seven from The Washington Post, in a…
Teenage use of TikTok and Snapchat declines but persists in some groups Platforms remove millions of underage accounts but face enforcement hurdles International interest grows as Australia’s approach influences other countries’ policies Two months after Australia introduced the world’s first nationwide ban preventing under-16s from holding accounts on major social…
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Investigative journalist Julia Angwin sues Grammarly over unauthorised use of her name in AI tool The case questions whether AI companies need explicit licences for referencing real individuals The lawsuit highlights broader concerns about transparency, consent, and attribution in AI practices A proposed class action in Manhattan federal court accuses…
Over 1.5 million research papers processed with AI in 2025, with a 25% forecasted increase in 2026 Springer Nature’s Snapp platform integrates AI tools to streamline manuscript handling and reviewer management The publisher balances efficiency with human oversight, ensuring transparency and research integrity Springer Nature says it processed more than…
The New York Times newsroom has grown by over 50% in a decade, marking ongoing success. Historical overexpansion at the Washington Post serves as a cautionary tale. Industry-wide decline and AI disruption suggest caution against large-scale staffing growth. This first appeared in our weekly newsletter Editor’s picks. Sign up…
Gen Z remains the primary audience for TikTok but shows signs of waning trust Users nostalgic for earlier, less commercial days and more cautious about content Creators and users increasingly turn to alternatives like YouTube amidst TikTok’s shift towards commerce TikTok remains the platform Gen Z turns to most often…
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Steve Grove discusses the decline of traditional local newspapers amid rising citizen reporting The Star Tribune adapts through digital innovation, risking operational cuts Signs of growth emerge through increased online subscriptions despite funding challenges Sometimes the context around a conversation reshapes its meaning. That was evident at last Friday’s Good Leadership Breakfast when Steve Grove, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune, addressed a room grappling with unrest and uncertainty in local media. Grove — whose career includes senior roles at Google and YouTube and a stint as Minnesota’s commissioner of employment and economic development — has written about…
Major UK news organisations launch SPUR to combat unauthorised AI training use Aim to establish licensing standards and secure fair compensation for original reporting Initiative underscores concerns over AI’s impact on journalism’s economic sustainability Some of Britain’s largest news organisations have launched a coalition to challenge the unauthorised use of journalism by AI developers. Leaders of the BBC, Financial Times, Guardian, Sky News and Telegraph Media Group have signed an open letter announcing SPUR , Standards for Publisher Usage Rights. The group says it will press for clearer rules and compensation when original reporting is used to train artificial intelligence…
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The European Commission investigates whether Google is using publishers’ content without fair compensation for AI summaries Concerns over unfair terms and market advantage as publishers and creators warn of traffic and revenue loss Potential for significant fines and remedies if breaches of EU competition rules are confirmed The European Commission has launched a formal investigation into whether Google is breaching competition rules by using publishers’ and creators’ content to generate AI summaries in search results and on YouTube. According to the Commission, the probe will assess “to what extent the generation of AI Overviews and AI Mode by Google is…
Meta partners with major publishers to enable AI chatbots to surface real-time headlines and summaries Deals include content licensing and multi-year agreements to ensure content protection and accurate attribution Industry experts weigh potential benefits against risks of reduced traffic and increased platform power Meta is expanding Meta AI’s news capabilities through a wave of commercial agreements that will allow the chatbot to show recent headlines, summaries and links when users ask about current events. The roster of partners includes CNN, Fox News, Fox Sports, USA Today, the People Inc portfolio, The Daily Caller, The Washington Examiner and France’s Le Monde…
The European Commission imposes €120 million fine on X for transparency violations under the DSA Elon Musk denounces the penalty as ‘crazy’ and politically motivated The case tests the enforcement of EU digital regulations and sparks transatlantic dispute The European Commission has fined Elon Musk’s social media platform X €120 million for breaching transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act. Issued on 5 December, it is the EU’s first non-compliance ruling under the new regime and signals a more assertive phase of platform oversight. The case tests the DSA’s enforcement power and highlights a widening transatlantic split over how to…
WAN-IFRA and FIPP to unify in 2026, representing over 20,000 media brands worldwide The merger aims to strengthen independent journalism and adapt to digital challenges Combined organisation will facilitate knowledge sharing and advocacy for media rights WAN-IFRA and FIPP will merge on 1 January 2026, creating the largest and most diverse alliance of media companies worldwide. Representing more than 20,000 media brands and technology enterprises across 120 countries, the deal see representative bodies of news and magazine publishers coming together at a time of unprecedented challenges for both sectors. As distinctions between news and magazine publishing fade, the organisations…
Julia Beizer departs Bloomberg after eight years to spearhead Microsoft’s AI news products Her move signals a broader trend of media leaders moving into big tech for AI-driven innovation Industry eyes her expertise as platforms race to redefine journalism distribution and monetisation Julia Beizer, chief operating officer of Bloomberg Media, is leaving the company to join Microsoft in a senior role leading its AI news product. Her appointment, reporting directly to Microsoft AI chief executive Mustafa Suleyman, marks another high-profile shift of media leadership into big tech as generative tools become central to how audiences find and use information. Microsoft…
Jeff Zucker advocates for backing niche and deeply reported news outlets with unique content Emphasises the role of AI as a production tool, not a storytelling substitute Highlights ongoing consolidation and regulatory challenges within the UK media sector Jeff Zucker, chief executive of RedBird IMI and an operating partner at RedBird Capital, used a Content London 2025 keynote to outline a blunt investment plan: back high-quality intellectual property, favour niche or deep-information news outlets and treat artificial intelligence as a production tool rather than a replacement for reporters. Zucker’s approach – selective investment, tight operational teams and a focus on…
Newsweek partners with Google Cloud to create a personalised, AI-driven homepage featuring external sources. The move aims to combat declining web traffic and adapt to escalating AI rivalry among tech giants. Industry-wide shift highlights the fight for user attention in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Newsweek is developing an AI-powered homepage with Google Cloud in an attempt to reverse falling traffic and shrinking search referrals. At a time when many readers bypass homepages altogether, the magazine is wagering that a personalised front page – tuned to users’ interests and local information such as weather, news and stock data – can…
Nearly 87% of Los Angeles Times Guild members approve new labour contract Contract includes wage increases, workplace protections, and AI usage regulations Union wins reflect broader industry tensions amid digital transformation and economic pressures Los Angeles Times journalists have averted a strike by ratifying a new labour contract after nearly two months since authorising strike action. Approximately 87 percent of members of the Los Angeles Times Guild, which represents around 200 newsroom staff including reporters, editors, photographers, and designers, voted to approve the deal. This outcome brings to a close a protracted and challenging bargaining process that extended beyond a…
James Lamont departs after 25 years at the FT to become CEO of Norway’s DN Media Group His extensive experience includes digital innovation, strategic partnerships, and international journalism Expected to bring strategic growth and digital expertise to the Norwegian media publisher James Lamont will leave the Financial Times at the end of the year to become chief executive of Norway’s DN Media Group, closing a 25-year chapter at the FT that spanned editorial leadership, strategic partnerships and digital development. Lamont’s FT career included eight years as Managing Editor, a period in which he helped guide the newsroom through a pivotal…
The NewsGuild-CWA challenges AI use in newsrooms, advocating for human-led reporting Union demands AI assist rather than replace journalists, and seeks protections for intellectual property Industry faces a conflict between efficiency gains and maintaining editorial integrity amid financial pressures The NewsGuild-CWA has launched a campaign called News Not Slop, challenging how artificial intelligence is being rolled out across newsrooms. It captures a growing split in the industry: whether publishers can use automation to stem losses without undermining the human reporting that gives journalism its value. Representing 27,000 workers across North America, the Guild has set out five demands, led by…

