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Media & Arts·P Space·Evidence-backed problem·Published 2026-08-09

News Corp subscriptions fall in Australia as company takes aim at ‘slimy’ AI slop

Abstract: News Corp has reported a slight slide in digital subscriptions at its Australian mastheads, erasing recent gains, among otherwise robust financials at the Rupert Murdoch-backed global conglomerate. Digital subscribers at News Corp Australia – a division that includes the Australian, the Daily Telegraph and the Herald Sun, among others – fell from 1,166,000 to 1,162,000 during the financial year, according to the company’s internal data published in its full year results on Thursday morning. The figures represent…

TRV-2026-0707JournalismPermanent record — cite & verify
News Corp subscriptions fall in Australia as company takes aim at ‘slimy’ AI slop
The quick read

News Corp reported full-year results on Thursday showing a small decline in Australian digital subscriptions to 1,162,000, alongside mixed advertising and costs for the new California Post. Chief executive Robert Thomson used the results to criticize AI models for using the company's journalism without adequate payment.

The dispute matters because news publishers are seeking enforceable compensation as AI systems train on and repurpose their work, while also warning about quality degradation from AI slop. Whether commercial deals with OpenAI and Meta and a potential expanded news bargaining incentive will offset pilfering remains contested and unproven in the reported figures.

Main points
  • Digital subscribers at News Corp Australia fell from 1,166,000 to 1,162,000 during the financial year to 30 June.
  • News Corp chief executive Robert Thomson said AI models 'pilfer and profit from our work' and warned users would be 'drowning in a slimy sea of AI slop'.
  • The company reported costs linked to launch of the California Post, the Los Angeles outpost of the New York Post edited by Nick Papps.
Problem

AI models pilfer and profit from News Corp journalism, flooding users with low-quality AI slop without compensation.

The rundown

On 5 August 2026 reporting, News Corp Australia's digital base slipped to 1,162,000 from 1,166,000, reversing prior growth as the division transitions from print. The broader news media unit including the Sun, Times and New York Post saw advertising revenue fall 2% to 30 June.

Thomson said 'We will pursue those pilferers and companies that are clients of these crass kleptomaniacs should know they are patently in possession of stolen goods.' The context is contested Albanese government plans to require tech giants to compensate outlets via deals or a higher levy.

Sources

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The debate