Welcome back to Friday Five! It’s been a minute, but we’re diving right into the latest shifts in media and publishing—from The Economist’s record-breaking subscription revenue to the Daily Mail’s digital brand consolidation. Bauer is shuttering four long-running titles, while publishers continue to grapple with AI’s growing influence on web traffic. But it’s not all challenges—publishers also scored a notable win against a popular paywall dodger. Here’s a quick look at the five biggest stories we’re following this week.
Subscriptions growth fuels record revenue year for The Economist
The Economist just had its best financial year ever, bringing in a record £383.4 million in revenue, fueled by a 4% rise in subscriptions, which now account for 68% of total revenue. Digital subscriptions led the charge, helping the brand stay strong despite a slight dip in advertising income. These results indicate that focusing on quality journalism and maintaining a global perspective still pay off. Read more on PressGazette.
Daily Mail consolidates digital brands
DMG Media is rolling Daily Mail, Mail+, and MailOnline into one simplified brand: Daily Mail. The move aims to unify content, boost brand awareness, and streamline the user experience across platforms. While editorial teams will remain unchanged, marketing and commercial operations are getting a refresh. Executives say this shift reflects how readers increasingly engage with their content. Read more on InPublishing.
In Touch, Life & Style, Closer and First for Women Magazines to Shutter, Lay Off Entire Staffs
Bauer Media Group is closing In Touch, Life & Style, Closer, and First for Women magazines, resulting in widespread layoffs. The decision comes amid ongoing declines in print advertising and shifting consumer habits. Bauer’s remaining U.S. operations will focus on digital and specialty titles. The move marks a significant shift in the company’s U.S. strategy toward more niche, online-focused offerings. Read more on The Hollywood Reporter.
ChatGPT referrals to news sites are growing, but not enough to offset search declines
While ChatGPT is sending more referrals to news sites, the volume isn’t nearly enough to offset the drop in traffic from traditional search engines. Publishers are experimenting with content visibility in AI tools, but many remain cautious. The shift highlights ongoing tension between AI platforms and content creators. As tools like Google’s AI-powered search evolve, media companies are still working out how to stay discoverable—and competitive—in this new landscape. Read more on TechCrunch.
News publishers take paywall-blocker 12ft.io offline
The controversial website 12ft.io, which let users dodge paywalls, has gone offline after mounting legal pressure from news publishers. The site worked by posing as a search engine crawler to bypass subscription barriers and grant free access to paid content. It was ultimately shut down following DMCA takedown notices (a legal tool used to protect copyrighted material) and industry pushback. Publishers are calling it a small win for protecting journalism in the digital age. Read more on The Verge.