"In 2026, news organizations will finally - finally - unlock the true value of product skill sets, thinking, and people in order to build products and experiences that truly and deeply connect to their audiences. With the ongoing disruption of generative AI and the "platform reset" of social media, search, and aggregators already underway, this will be the differentiator - and arguably the only way that news organizations of the next decade will survive."
"While smaller or newer organizations might only have one or a few dedicated product people, many news operations now have fully-fledged product teams. These teams vary in size, structure, remit, and overall maturity but are generally viewed as sitting at the intersection of news and business, with a relentless focus on understanding and meeting audiences' needs through digital features, products, and experiences."
"While it's become an established and expected part of news organizations, there's still a lack of clarity about what exactly "product" is, what they're ultimately responsible for, and where it should reside within the organization. Product teams usually work closely with engineering and design partners which makes them the team to come to when things need to be developed and built on site or in apps."
By 2026, news organizations will prioritize product skill sets, thinking, and people to build products and experiences that deeply connect with audiences. Generative AI disruption and a "platform reset" of social media, search, and aggregators create a landscape where product-driven differentiation becomes critical for survival. Many publishers now maintain product teams of varying size and maturity, positioned between news and business to focus on audience needs. Persistent ambiguity about product roles and the misconception that product is purely technical limit impact. Power struggles between newsroom and product teams further hinder effectiveness and audience-centered innovation.
Read at Nieman Lab
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