Reach, the publisher behind newspapers such as the Mirror and Express, is set to cut an additional 220 editorial jobs. This decision comes as the company adapts to a significant drop in online traffic, which it attributes to readers increasingly using summaries generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
The publisher, which also owns numerous online brands and regional titles including the Manchester Evening News, stated that these cuts are necessary to address a "mammoth shift" in how audiences consume content. This follows a previous restructure in September that resulted in over 300 editorial job cuts.
Reach reported that a 46% year-on-year decline in traffic from Google has contributed to a slump in overall digital page views. Features like Google’s AI Mode and AI Overviews are cited as negating the need for readers to click through to its websites. David Higgerson, Reach's chief content officer, noted that the company must focus investment where audiences spend the most time and where revenue reflects the value of its work, shifting emphasis from story volume to original journalism.
As part of the restructure, approximately 60 new editorial roles will be created to drive digital revenue growth, with a focus on subscriptions and longer-form video. Reach also announced the closure of three online-only brands: KentLive, AberdeenLive, and GalwayBeo.