OLD Media News

Will 2020 have more news payers?

News outlets promoted their work on various online platforms, hoping to bring readers and advertisers back to their own websites. However, ad dollars have largely flowed to Facebook and Google, according to reports.

But now, as we head into the new year, publishers are hoping that they will have the upper hand on tech platforms that have profited from their work. As of now, the inflow of money to newsrooms is still relatively small, but media executives are encouraged by what they say is a willingness to pay for news.

“It’s a positive trend we’re seeing from the platforms,” said Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News.

With optimism high, many companies have started to take initiative. For example, Pocket, an ad-supported app owned by Mozilla Corp, struck a deal with the Atlantic and is talking to other publishers about paying to host older stories.

Another example is Medium, a digital publishing company which has paid about a dozen publications, including New York magazine and MIT Technology Review, to share a handful of articles.

“We continue to have conversations with quality publishers and expect to bring many new partners on board in 2020,” a Medium spokesman said.

After years of chasing Web traffic for advertising dollars, media executives are more discerning before handing their journalism over to tech platforms, said New York Times, chief executive officer Mark Thompson.

“There was a sense that Silicon Valley was doing us a favor by distributing our content and we should be grateful for that,” he added.

Mariam Ahmed

Recent Posts

Indianapolis Biz Journal seeks a news editor

The Indianapolis Business Journal is looking for our next news editor, a role that focuses…

15 hours ago

Axios hires Berkowitz as ME for media and markets coverage

Axios has chosen Ben Berkowitz to be its next managing editor of business and markets.…

19 hours ago

Business Insider hires Ortega as director of newsroom operations

Business Insider editor in chief Jamie Heller sent out the following on Monday: I'm thrilled…

20 hours ago

Rest of World promotes Chandran to deputy editor

Rest of World editor in chief Anup Kaphle sent out the following on Monday: We are excited…

20 hours ago

FT hires Venugopal as India newsletter editor

The Financial Times has hired Veena Venugopal as its India newsletter editor. She has been working at…

21 hours ago

FT taps Parkin to be Middle East and Africa news editor

Benjamin Parkin has been named Middle East and Africa news editor at the Financial Times, based…

24 hours ago