The hottest Media industry Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

From the Old Editor: "We Care If It's True. We Don't Care Why."

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 10503 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
📰 News Media industry
  1. Racket is relaunching as a bigger investigative newsroom with a new editor-in-chief and more staff, aiming to produce more long-form reporting while still responding to the news cycle.
  2. The editorial philosophy emphasizes rigorous verification and truth over partisan takes or forcing staff onto ideological slates, encouraging reporters to follow stories wherever they lead.
  3. They plan to rebuild FOIA capabilities, try new formats (timelines, glossaries, a Monday 'Swamp Log'), and ask readers for patience and feedback as they find a steady rhythm.

Cracks Begin to Show at Davos

DARK FUTURA • 8294 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Media industry
  1. Elites at Davos displayed fear and apprehension for the future direction of society.
  2. Short-term concern for mis/disinformation and long-term focus on climate challenges dominated discussions.
  3. Globalists at Davos showed signs of internal division and dissent, challenging the traditional narrative.

The two crises in the news business

Slow Boring • 5699 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
📰 News Media industry
  1. The news industry is facing crises that impact both journalists and democracy.
  2. Journalists must adapt to being more indispensable in a shrinking industry.
  3. Local news coverage is crucial but often overlooked due to increased competition in the industry.

The holiday web traffic surge isn't coming this year

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 374 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
🎙 Podcasts Media industry
  1. This holiday season, many food bloggers are not seeing their usual traffic because AI is taking over recipe searches. Unfortunately, the AI sometimes gives wrong instructions that could ruin dishes.
  2. AI tools have significantly improved the way we can read and transcribe handwritten texts. This could really help historians and researchers digitize old documents much easier and make them searchable.
  3. Podcast companies are experiencing a new wave of deal-making due to the rise in video podcasts. They are looking to monetize through various types of content including audio and video, hoping to get better returns this time.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Journalism is dead, long live journalism

Unreported Truths • 45 implied HN points • 10 Feb 26
📰 News Media industry
  1. Independent, subscription-funded news outlets are growing and hiring talent, and they can become new flagships that offer an alternative to corporate media. They promise more editorial independence and can attract readers and investment.
  2. Legacy newspapers are facing serious financial losses and large layoffs, which hurt many mid-level reporters and expose deeper editorial and strategic failures. Cutting staff without fixing the business model risks a downward spiral.
  3. There is a clear opening for independent journalists and collaborations to fill gaps left by traditional outlets, but scaling up is hard and many displaced journalists will face real economic challenges. Working together could amplify impact, even as running a larger outlet remains difficult.

Toxic friends, Temu victims and the outskirts of reality

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 758 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Media industry
  1. The resurgence of personal essays is evident across various platforms and mediums, adapting to the changing online landscape.
  2. There appears to be a shift towards more personal storytelling as a response to the mundane and commercial nature of traditional and social media.
  3. The rise of personal narratives and essays may be tied to the decline of traditional media, showcasing a desire for more authentic and human connection in the digital age.

Why I don’t believe in Google Zero

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 523 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. AI summaries might not hurt content creators in the long run. People still want in-depth articles and original thoughts, not just quick answers.
  2. Emma Tucker is doing a great job as the editor of the Wall Street Journal, focusing on longform storytelling, which shows that engaging content can help grow a media brand.
  3. HGTV is losing viewers to cheaper DIY content on platforms like YouTube. The Creator Economy is changing how media is made and consumed, making it tough for big networks to keep up.

Notebook: Bad News Day

Book Post • 628 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
📰 News Media industry
  1. Recent years have seen a significant decline in journalism, with many major news outlets facing layoffs and cutbacks.
  2. Local news has been especially hard-hit, with many newspapers closing down, leaving 'news deserts' in over 200 counties.
  3. The rise of artificial intelligence is also impacting journalism, with AI tools changing how news is consumed and altering the media landscape.

Should publishers trust Google Discover?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 424 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Many news publishers are becoming too reliant on Google Discover for traffic, which can be unpredictable and not as valuable as it seems. This can lead to a cycle of chasing trends without producing meaningful content.
  2. Writing and selling books can be tough for authors because the financial rewards are often not worth the effort put in. Many writers find that they make much less from book sales compared to what they earn in their regular jobs.
  3. For publishers to succeed today, focusing on building a loyal audience and diversifying their income streams is crucial. This can include prioritizing paid subscriptions, newsletters, and community engagement.

The internet is about to be reshuffled

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 673 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. When TikTok shuts down, a lot of users might turn to other platforms instead. This could create big opportunities for content creators who need to act quickly to capture the new audience.
  2. Many media companies struggle to see the true value of their employees. Freelance creators are finding success on platforms like Substack, showing that they can earn more outside traditional jobs.
  3. Spotify's move into audiobooks has helped it attract new listeners and grow its business. This shift is seen as one of the smartest decisions among streaming services, providing more value to subscribers.

Has Bullying People Into Buying an Inferior Product Ever Worked?

I Might Be Wrong • 12 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🎭️ Culture Media industry
  1. Going to the movies is often expensive, inconvenient, and less comfortable than streaming at home, so many people see the theater experience as inferior.
  2. Trying to shame or bully people into buying a worse product rarely works, because consumers tend to choose whatever gives the best value.
  3. Tech and cultural shifts like streaming and podcasts have already replaced older formats such as late-night TV, and nostalgia or ads are unlikely to reverse that change.

Why I'm on strike

Read Max • 2502 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media industry
  1. The author is on strike from their writing work due to concerns about changing compensation structures and exploitation in the entertainment industry.
  2. The strike aims to protect writers from exploitation by studios and streaming platforms, ensuring fair compensation and job stability.
  3. The Writers Guild of America is specifically addressing the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the writing profession during the negotiations.

Why is Spotify held to a different standard than Meta?

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 29 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Spotify pays a lot to music rights holders, $10 billion in a single year, helping revive the music industry. Yet, artists still criticize Spotify more than they do other platforms like Meta, which pay much less to creators.
  2. There's a big shift from traditional media to independent outlets, as many journalists are launching their own platforms instead of staying with legacy media. This trend shows a growing frustration with mainstream media's control over narratives.
  3. When platforms share revenue with creators, like Fortnite does, it encourages more content and benefits everyone. But relying on AI for content can lead to low-quality output that doesn't hold much value.

Hollywood Will Not Fall for This “Cast Normal-Looking Actors” Stuff

I Might Be Wrong • 10 implied HN points • 29 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Media industry
  1. Hollywood prioritizes attractive actors because entertainment is largely commerce. Nice-to-look-at performers boost ratings, marketing, and the chances a show will make money.
  2. Casting average-looking actors can make stories feel more authentic and grounded. Still, it's uncommon because production constraints (long seasons, casting difficulty) and audience habits push producers toward eye candy.
  3. Viewers project themselves onto on-screen characters, so creators cast people who are relatable but slightly idealized in appearance. That small boost in attractiveness helps audiences connect and keeps them tuning in.

How publishers should respond to declining Google traffic

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 1097 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Google traffic may not be as valuable as perceived, as it often results in low engagement and conversion rates.
  2. High-quality publishers can leverage brand recognition as a powerful tool to compete in search results dominated by AI-generated content.
  3. Building a strong personal brand in the Creator Economy can lead to burnout and lack of exit options, prompting some creators to launch companies separate from their personal brands.

How TikTok's For You feed made audience monetization harder

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. TikTok's For You feed makes it easier for smaller creators to get noticed but harder to build a loyal audience. Creators are now focusing on platforms like podcasts and newsletters to connect better with fans.
  2. Beehiiv is trying to attract independent journalists by offering benefits like health insurance and financial support. This approach is similar to a past initiative from Substack that aimed to boost its platform's visibility.
  3. The Washington Post has seen a drop in traffic and revenue, largely due to changes in how social media platforms share political content. To grow again, they might need to explore new topics beyond just politics.

AI-generated slop is already clogging the arteries of the web

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 823 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Media industry
  1. Many worry about AI-generated content replicating and stealing audiences, but the impact on publishers is still largely hypothetical.
  2. AI is already degrading the user experience of the web, causing harm and making content resources useless.
  3. Platforms like Amazon, Google News, and ad tech are flooded with AI-generated content, harming users and eroding trust in the information served.

When hosting the world's most popular podcast is not enough

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 324 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🎙 Podcasts Media industry
  1. Alex Cooper is not just about hosting a popular podcast; she wants to build a whole media empire. Her ambition shows that success goes beyond just one project.
  2. The Boston Globe has successfully increased its digital revenue by having both free and paywalled content. This approach helps attract a wider audience while also generating income.
  3. Bloomberg Media is trying to keep its subscribers happy by launching a Weekend Edition. This shows how important it is for media companies to find new ways to engage their audience and reduce churn.

Facebook has become a punchline

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Media industry
  1. Facebook is now seen as a joke, filled with low-quality content that doesn't engage users seriously.
  2. Feminist blogs that were popular in the 2010s are largely gone now, leaving a gap in discussions about women's rights.
  3. Political campaigns increasingly use social media influencers to promote candidates, often without clear rules, which can mislead voters.

It wasn’t Vice’s business model that sank it

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 449 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
💼 Business Media industry
  1. High overhead costs and failure to control expenses can lead to the downfall of media companies, not just their business models.
  2. Diversifying revenue streams beyond advertising can be beneficial for media companies to sustain themselves.
  3. Establishing reasonable burn rates and controlling expenses are crucial for the long-term success of media companies.

Jobs and Opps at The Financial Times, Prospect Magazine, Arts Professional, and Many, Many More ☀️

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 218 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
💼 Business Media industry
  1. The financial data showed a turnover of nearly £92,000, breakdown of revenue sources, and major expenses.
  2. Revenue sources included grants, job ad sales, memberships, sponsorships, and affiliate sales.
  3. Major expenses included staff costs, freelance payments, services, and goods like printing.

Christmas marketing is Wicked, Media brands fight for trust, and the rest is marketing on steroids.

The Social Juice • 14 implied HN points • 07 Nov 25
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Christmas marketing is everywhere right now, with brands launching festive campaigns to grab attention during the holiday season. They need to stand out and connect with consumers really well.
  2. Media brands are focusing on rebuilding trust with their audiences, especially as accountability becomes more important in today's fast-paced digital world. This is crucial for their survival and growth.
  3. Many brands are taking big risks with their advertising to prove their value and effectiveness. They want to showcase results that go beyond just reaching a large audience, aiming for a positive impact instead.

Bob Iger is back as Disney's CEO.

Jon’s Newsletter • 199 implied HN points • 21 Nov 22
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Bob Iger has returned as CEO of Disney after the ousting of Bob Chapek. This marks a surprising shift since Iger had stepped down in early 2020.
  2. Iger's previous leadership was highly successful, with Disney's market value increasing by $200 billion during his time as CEO. He was responsible for major deals and launches, like Disney+ and acquisitions of Pixar and Marvel.
  3. The company is facing challenges, such as pressure from investors for profit and upcoming job cuts. Iger's relationship with employees and vision for the company will be crucial in navigating these issues.

Jobs and Opps at Times Higher Education, SWNS, the BBC, China Dialogue, and Many, Many More🏫

Journo Resources - The Opportunities • 99 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
💼 Business Media industry
  1. Catharina from Journo Resources announced her departure and reflected on her time with the company.
  2. There are various job opportunities available in journalism, such as news reporters, editors, and content creators.
  3. Upcoming events and opportunities for emerging journalists, including training sessions and awards.

Why Removed HBO Max Originals Return in Other Formats

Textual Variations • 265 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Media industry
  1. Original content removed from streaming platforms may not be permanently erased and can often be reissued on other formats.
  2. Different types of streaming originals exist, such as acquired originals, house originals, and co-originals, each with unique relationships with the streaming platform.
  3. The removal and reissuing of streaming originals can be driven by a combination of factors including cost savings, streaming performance, and better revenue opportunities on other platforms.

Revisio-News #3: The Overpriced Hellraiser 4 Workprint

Textual Variations • 231 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Media industry
  1. The movie 'Hellraiser: Bloodline' had an interesting production history with multiple cuts and a leaked workprint version.
  2. Arrow Video is releasing a limited edition box set that includes one of the workprint versions of 'Bloodline'.
  3. Fans may want to wait for a standalone release of 'Bloodline' to get a better quality version without buying the box set.