Podcast 60: How to make local news pay with Newsquest CEO Henry Faure Walker

In a rare interview, Faure Walker discusses the state of the industry, ads, subscriptions and AI.

Newsquest CEO Henry Faure Walker sees revenue up — Newsquest chief executive Henry Faure Walker. Picture: News Media Association

Last year UK regional news giant Newsquest made £40m in pre-tax profits on turnover of £190m.

This year it is tracking to have ad revenue broadly flat over two years.

CEO Henry Faure Walker spoke to Dominic Ponsford about how the publisher of 200+ titles is bucking the trend on both audience and advertising revenue decline. He also shed light on some fascinating experiments using generative AI in the newsroom.

How to subscribe to Press Gazette’s Future of Media Explained podcast

1. In your browser

You can use the player above to listen in your browser right now. Future of Media Explained is published every week.

You could bookmark the Future of Media Explained homepage on Acast.

Select and enter your email address

Future of Media

Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday.

Press Gazette Daily

Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time.

Future Of Media USA

Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers.

Marketing Matters

A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.

Your email address

Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.

Thanks for subscribing.

And if you sign up for our Future of Media newsletter you will receive an email link to the latest show every Thursday.

Content from our partners

Free journalism awards for journalists under 30: Deadline today

Press Gazette

MHP Group’s 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries

Press Gazette

How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition

Freddy Mayhew

2. In a podcast app

The Future of Media Explained is available on all major podcast apps including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Acast.

Or search for Future of Media Explained wherever you get your podcasts.

3. On your smart speaker

If you have an Amazon Echo, Google Home or Apple HomePod smart speaker, ask it to “play the latest episode of the Press Gazette Future of Media Explained podcast”. The same command also works with virtual assistants on mobile devices.