NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Post has announced the launch of a California tabloid newspaper and news site set to debut next year, aiming to replicate its unique and irreverent style in the Golden State. This initiative marks a significant venture for Rupert Murdoch's media empire, creating a new American newspaper complete with a robust print edition, a rarity in the current media landscape.
The California Post, based in Los Angeles, is set to cover a range of topics including politics, local news, business, entertainment, and sports, while leveraging the established national coverage of the New York paper. The plan includes the publication of a print edition seven days a week, along with a dedicated website, social media platforms, and multimedia content such as video and audio pieces.
Robert Thomson, the chief executive of News Corp., expressed confidence in the venture, stating that the Post will play a vital role in engaging readers starved for serious reporting mixed with wit. He characterized California's journalism landscape as marred by "jaundiced, jaded journalism," suggesting the California Post aims to disrupt this narrative.
Despite the bold vision, the California Post launches amidst a challenging environment for the news industry, particularly for print publications. Since 2005, over 3,200 newspapers across the United States have ceased operations. The rise of digital media has transformed news consumption habits and significantly affected the advertising revenues that traditional newspapers depended upon.
Nonetheless, the New York Post has found success through its distinctive voice and editorial approach. The New York Post Media Group believes that this formula will resonate within California, a state with nearly 40 million residents and a variety of existing local newspapers, including dailies in Los Angeles and other significant urban areas. However, according to Danny Bakewell, president of the Los Angeles Press Club, there hasn't been a dedicated tabloid catering to local issues in the second-most-populous city in recent memory.
Bakewell noted that the Los Angeles market remains untested for this type of publication, suggesting that the demand for quality news reporting is high, particularly as many other newspapers have been reducing their operations. This launch may represent a unique opportunity in a time of media contraction.
The New York Post stands out as a distinctive publication with a storied history, having been founded by Alexander Hamilton in 1801. Rupert Murdoch purchased the Post in 1976, sold it, and then bought it back in 1993. Known for its sensational reporting and memorable headlines, the Post also engages actively in both local and national politics, often covering cultural and political narratives from a conservative perspective. The paper has a reputation for breaking significant political stories, such as the Hunter Biden laptop saga, and maintains an avid readership that includes notable figures like former President Donald Trump.
In recent years, the Post's digital presence has flourished, with a significant percentage of its audience located outside the New York area. With Los Angeles having the second-largest readership in the U.S. after New York, the California Post is viewed as a critical step in expanding the Post's national brand. Editor-in-Chief Keith Poole will oversee the new publication alongside its editor Nick Papps, a seasoned journalist with extensive experience in News Corp.'s Australian outlets.
The company has yet to disclose how many journalists will be employed by the California Post, adding an air of anticipation to the forthcoming launch.
