Sustainable media business models: how can quality news providers find the revenue and investment to thrive in today’s fragmented media landscape? chaired by Mark Thompson

Sustainable media business models: how can quality news providers find the revenue and investment to thrive in today’s fragmented media landscape? chaired by Mark Thompson

This second Anchor Event of Ditchley’s 2025 Media Programme will reflect on how to pay for the independent, trusted and fact-based news ecosystem necessary to sustain a healthy democracy. Media organisations are grappling with falling ad revenues, a limited public appetite for subscription-based services, and the reduction in search and social traffic as tech platforms tweak their approaches to news. At the same time, the pace of innovation in journalism and news is increasing and initiatives to support new business models are gaining traction. It is clear that there is no “one size fits all” solution, but what might the successful media business models of the future look like? This day-long discussion, followed by dinner, will examine which successful models may offer partial solutions for others, ask where more innovation in business models is most needed, and identify acknowledged market failures that need targeted intervention. We will also tackle the question of media funding. What are or should be the roles of governments, the private sector, and/or philanthropy and patient capital in this offering?