How The Economist captures the young generation in the age of AI
The 180-year-old publisher is betting on video, streaming and artificial intelligence to win over younger audiences — and keep them
– 3 min read
The Economist is one of the world’s most respected news brands, founded in 1843 and renowned for its high-quality, byline-free journalism.
Now, as the media industry changes, it is working to keep up with the times.
At Newsrewired (14 May 2026), president Luke Bradley-Jones offered a rare inside look at how The Economist is launching new video and audio products, embracing AI, and rethinking its approach to subscriptions and pricing, especially for younger audiences.
Insider & Play
Insider: human-led video journalism
In October 2025, The Economist launched Insider — a twice-weekly, personality-led video show that brings subscribers behind the scenes of editorial debates. This is a major departure from the magazine’s traditional, text-led, no-byline approach.
The show features 10–15 journalists from a newsroom of 300, with 20–30 involved in podcast production. Over six months, the team piloted 40+ episodes, gathering critical feedback from staff and thousands of consumers:
