15 Biggest News Companies in the World

Published on March 31, 2021 at 4:41 am by Jose Karlo Mari Tottoc in Lists, News

In this article, we are going to list the 15 biggest news companies in the world. You can skip our detailed analysis of the new industry and go to 5 Biggest News Companies in the World.

The news media industry is going through massive changes as consumer trends are changing. The conventional news media companies are now relying on digital channels for their viewership/readership. According to a 2020 study by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, younger population is using social media channels for news. The study said that in April 2020, across its six surveyed countries almost 24% of the surveyed population used WhatsApp to find, discuss and share news after the coronavirus pandemic, up seven points on average as compared to January 2020.

Winds of Change in the News Industry

Amid falling revenues, small and large news websites and outlets have started showing “paywalls” on their content, urging readers to subscribe to their service. The Reuters report said there was a significant rise in subscriptions — led by U.S. with a 20% increase — as users prefer to get better content in exchange for a small fee. However, a majority of consumers still prefer to read news for free.

Even though major news websites and channels saw an increase in usage following the COVID-19 pandemic, trust in news media continues to fall as people grow wary of clickbait headlines, fake news and sensational articles. The Reuters report noted that less than half of the surveyed population say they trust the news they themselves use or read.

Who Owns Big News companies?

Fifty Companies had been controlling a large part of the American media since 1983. By 1992 that number had fallen by half. After 2000, 6 companies had charge of most news and media. Today, five own major news outlets in the country, even though their monopoly is being challenged as millions of people flock to podcasts, social media, YouTube shows and other independent news and infotainment outlets.

The “Big Five” of the news industry are:

Time Warner
Disney
Bertelsmann of Germany
Murdoch’s News Corporation

The New York Times is owned by a public company named New York Times Corporation.

The Washington Post is also controlled by a publicly-held company that is Washington Post Company.

The Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times are owned by the Tribune Company.

Now, let’s start out list of 15 biggest news companies in the world.

Biggest News Companies in the World

15. Sony Corporation (NYSE: SNE)

Sony is commonly known as an electronics and music giant, but it also has other media properties. Sony offers streaming and infotainment services to millions of people around the world, enabling their access to thousands of news channels and websites.

14. Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR)

Charter Communications acquired Time Warner Cable in 2015 for $78.7 billion, giving it a significant media presence. Time Warner Cable Inc. included a wide portfolio of products and services. Time Warner’s video, high-speed data, and voice services in the U.S. combined with Charter Communications’ operations gave rise to a media giant.

13. ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC)

Viacom and CBS merged to form ViacomCBS in December 2019. Viacom was established in 2005 in New York and offers entertainment content. Popular brands include Nickelodeon, TeenNick, Comedy Central.

ViacomCBS also operates gaming websites including AddictingGames.com and Shockwave.com. Its recorded entertainment business operates brand names like Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon, etc.

12. The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS)

Often known for kids entertainment and theme parks, Walt Disney is a major news company, owning channels like ESPN and ABC, as well as the Disney Channel, National Geographic, and a 50% stake in Viceland co-owner A&E.

11. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL)

Apart from powering the smartphones of hundreds of millions of news users worldwide, Apple offers News+ and news aggregation apps. Apple News has over 125 million monthly active users. Last year, the New York Times said it was ending its relationship with Apple News, citing little control and inability to redirect readers from Apple News to its own website.

10. A.H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC)

H. Belo (AHC) is focused on regional newspapers, including The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, and The Denton Record-Chronicle. The company also has audience-specific publications.

9. The McClatchy Company

The McClatchy Company (MNI) has 30 daily newspapers, non-daily newspapers, web portals, and digital publications that cover promoting services in 29 markets in the US. Their holdings include the Star-Telegram, The Sacramento Bee, The Kansas City Star, the Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, and The (Raleigh) News & Observer.

8. Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI)

Gannett (GCI) is a diversified news and media information company that works in television, publishing, and digital. The most famous brand the company owns is USA Today. Its broadcasting segment runs 43 TV stations; its publishing segment produces daily content through over 80 daily publications and more than 400 non-daily local publications; and its digital segment includes content through digital platforms, digital marketing services, and an online HR software solution.

7. Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ: DJCO)

Daily Journal (DJCO) serves as an information service provider through print and digital media, originally in California and Arizona. Reputable brands include The Los Angeles Daily Journal, Daily Commerce, The San Francisco Daily Journal, The Daily Recorder, The Inter-City Express, The Orange County Reporter, Business Journal, and The Record Reporter.

6. Tribune Media Co. (Private)

Tribune Media (TPCO) is a diversified reporting company with television and digital channels that present news, entertainment, and sports programming. It controls and operates more than 40 TV stations, and Its WGN America alone affects more than 80 million households. The company also makes important investments in other media businesses, including TV Food Network, Classified Ventures, and Mashable.

Click to continue reading and see 5 Biggest News Companies in the World.