Mirror and Express Publisher Reach Cuts 220 Editorial Jobs Amid AI Summary Impact

Job Cuts and Restructuring at Reach

Reach, the publisher behind newspapers like the Mirror and Express, announced a reduction of 220 editorial positions. This decision follows a previous restructure in September that resulted in over 300 job cuts. The company cited a "mammoth shift" in audience content consumption as the reason for these changes.

Impact of AI Summaries on Traffic

A primary factor contributing to the job cuts is a dramatic fall in online traffic, with readers increasingly turning to AI-generated summaries. Reach reported a 46% year-on-year decline in traffic from Google, as features like Google's AI Mode and AI Overviews reduce the need for users to click through to publisher websites. This trend directly impacts digital page views and advertising revenue.

Closure of Online Brands and New Role Creation

As part of the restructuring, Reach will close three of its online-only brands: KentLive, AberdeenLive, and GalwayBeo, stating they failed to become the "dominant publisher" in their respective regions. Concurrently, approximately 60 new editorial roles will be created. These roles are intended to drive digital revenue growth, with a specific focus on subscriptions and longer-form video content.

Strategic Shift Towards Original Journalism and Subscriptions

David Higgerson, Reach's chief content officer, indicated a strategic shift away from high story volume towards original journalism and distinctive brands. The company aims to invest in areas where audiences spend the most time and where revenue reflects content value. This includes an emphasis on building subscriptions, with Reach currently having 50,000 paid digital subscribers and a target of 75,000 by the end of the current financial year. Digital revenues for the year to March 3 fell by almost 1% to £128.9 million.