12:36 pm - April 11, 2026
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…
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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Nine US regional newspapers accuse OpenAI and Microsoft of training AI on unlicensed news content Lawsuit seeks over $10 billion in damages and destruction of alleged infringing datasets Case highlights tensions between AI innovation and rights protection in the evolving legal landscape Nine US regional newspapers have launched a sweeping copyright lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft, seeking damages that could exceed $10 billion. The plaintiffs include the Boston Herald, Hartford Courant, San Diego Union-Tribune, Los Angeles Daily News, New York Daily News, Chicago Tribune and Denver Post. They allege the companies trained AI models on unlicensed news content that the…
Goalhanger to take over Southbank Centre for a weekend festival in 2026 Features major podcast acts and crossover events Aims to merge arts and audio sectors in a historic venue Goalhanger has announced that it will take over the Southbank Centre next year for The Rest Is Fest, a weekend festival that puts the UK’s biggest podcast acts on stage. It is the clearest sign yet of the extent to which the digital audio firm is using events to diversify its offer. Running from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September 2026, the event will be a centrepiece of the…
Major regional and long-standing titles adopt paywalls to secure revenue Industry acknowledges that reliance on digital ads alone is unsustainable Success depends on refining reader journeys, data use and operational discipline The past fortnight brought two announcements that should make every senior news executive pause. Reach plc is introducing a part-paywall on the Manchester Evening News, one of the country’s largest regional titles, and The Observer, a paper with more than two centuries of history, has launched its first digital paywall. While they are entirely independent decisions, together they signal a broader shift. They reflect the moment when publishers…
The Observer introduces paywall with subscription options to counter news fatigue New digital platform features curated content, puzzles, and audio journalism Move aims to rebuild trust and ensure independence through reader revenue The Observer has introduced its first digital subscription and paywall, paired with the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper’s move to daily publishing. The move – led by new owner Tortoise Media – marks a bet that readers will pay for focused, trustworthy coverage as news fatigue grows. It was accompanied by a redesigned website and a new smartphone app. Subscriptions cost £16 a month or £144 a year,…
MEN Premium launched with with exclusive content and enhanced digital features Subscription model aims to sustain high-quality local journalism amid financial pressures New offerings include ad-lite experience, daily digests, and interactive elements for readers The Manchester Evening News (MEN) has launched a digital subscription called MEN Premium, signalling a clear break from its owner Reach’s previous antipathy toward paid news. Editor-in-chief Sarah Lester said the paper’s role as a source of accurate, contextual reporting has become more important as platforms such as Google, Facebook and TikTok shape how people consume news. “The MEN remains a bastion for accurate, fact-checked and…
Industry leaders emphasise the urgent need to adapt to fast-paced shifts driven by AI and creator integration Traditional media must adopt new skills and operational models around niche content, podcasts and events Strong leadership behaviours are essential to navigate the upheaval and prevent a potential crisis in news organisations When it came to the switch from print to digital, the news media spent a long time pretending that it wasn’t really happening and carried on much as it had always done. Partly this was the result of the decline of print being slow and, for a long time, profitable.…
Goalhanger shifts from audio-first to a multi-platform media entity with a new identity Launch of new high-trust content franchise ‘The Rest Is Science’ Focus on deep engagement and premium advertising opportunities amid evolving consumer habits Goalhanger has launched a full rebrand that shifts the company from its podcasting roots into a broader media operation incorporating video, live experiences, social content and subscription memberships. The move reflects how podcast publishers are repositioning themselves to keep pace with changing audience habits and attract higher-value commercial partners. The new identity is built around a GH wordmark and the line “For the curious.” Goalhanger…
Google rolls out its most advanced AI model, Gemini 3, into search features in the US Enhances complex query handling with richer, multimodal and interactive responses Subscribers of Google AI Ultra gain access to the most powerful capabilities, including agentic workflows Google has begun rolling out Gemini 3, its most advanced AI model, across parts of Google Search. The move brings a substantial boost to AI Overviews and AI Mode, with a model widely hailed as a match for ChatGPT’s latest generation and expected to close a long-standing quality gap in Google’s search-embedded AI. The update signals a push to…
CNN ceases to share content on Apple News amid ongoing negotiations Launch of new tiered subscription service aims to boost direct revenues The move highlights tensions between platform reliance and control over content CNN has taken its content off Apple News, ending a distribution deal that has been in place since the app launched in 2015. The network’s feed disappeared as the two sides negotiate new terms, with neither company commenting on the talks. The shift matters because it shows how quickly relationships between publishers and platforms can change as news organisations push harder for direct revenue. The move comes…
Bevan Shields resigns as editor of the Sydney Morning Herald citing health reasons Shields to return as a senior writer after nearly four years at the helm Chief reporter Jordan Baker to succeed him as editor in early 2026 Bevan Shields has resigned as editor of the Sydney Morning Herald after nearly four years, saying he needs to focus on his health and wellbeing. His exit ends a period of significant change at Nine’s flagship Sydney title and raises fresh questions about how the masthead navigates its next stage of digital transformation. In an email to staff, Shields called the…
