Independent Media has reported a strong first half to its financial year, saying artificial intelligence now accounts for 10% of total revenue as the publisher deepens its push into automation, creator-led video and podcasts, and overseas growth.
The UK-based group said revenue from both its AI activity and its Studio division is expected to rise by more than 60% year on year. Together with ecommerce and US expansion, those four growth pillars now make up more than 60% of the company’s turnover, according to the business.
The results come ahead of a new strategic investment programme designed to speed up the company’s transformation. They also arrive as John Paton prepares to step down as chairman on 30 September after seven years in the role, with Christian Broughton continuing as chief executive.
Under the pair’s leadership, Independent Media says it has doubled revenue and delivered a prolonged run of growth. The company recorded £53.2m in revenue in its latest full-year accounts for 2024, up £7.1m, or 15%, with operating profit of £3.2m. It says that 2025 figures, which will be published shortly, show further increases, and that it has now posted 10 consecutive years of growth and profit since The Independent ended print production.
The company has also broadened its footprint in North America. Earlier this month, it appointed Chris Anthony as president, North America, to lead the regional business and report to Broughton as the group looks to accelerate revenue there. In the UK, Independent Media struck an agreement in March to take over the digital operations of The Standard, extending its reach further.
The publisher has spent the past year building out a multi-brand digital network. A landmark 2024 deal brought BuzzFeed, Tasty and HuffPost into its stable of UK brands, creating what the company describes as an audience reaching around half of British consumers, with average monthly global reach of 650 million users and 1.1 billion content views across its platforms.
Independent Studio, launched only last year, has become an important part of that strategy. The company points to creator-led formats such as In The Room, which entered the UK current affairs podcast top 10 after 12 episodes, and ACFC, a football analysis YouTube channel with more than 200,000 subscribers. Another recent launch, Bulletin, an AI-assisted news summary product, has also helped drive the contribution from AI.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article was published on 22 June 2026, reporting on Independent Media’s performance in the first half of the financial year. No earlier publications of this specific content were found, indicating freshness. The content does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The narrative is based on a press release from Independent Media, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The article includes updated data and does not recycle older material.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
Direct quotes from Christian Broughton and John Paton are included. While these quotes are consistent with the press release, no independent verification sources were found to confirm their authenticity. The lack of independently verifiable quotes raises concerns about the reliability of the statements. Further verification is recommended to ensure accuracy.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article originates from InPublishing, a UK-based publication focusing on the media industry. While InPublishing is a reputable source within its niche, it is not a major news organisation like the BBC or Reuters. The press release from Independent Media serves as the primary source, which may introduce bias. The lack of independent verification sources further diminishes the overall reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score:
6
Notes:
The claims about Independent Media’s revenue growth and strategic initiatives are plausible and align with industry trends. However, the absence of independent verification sources and the reliance on a single press release raise concerns about the accuracy and completeness of the information. The lack of corroborating reports from other reputable outlets diminishes the overall credibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article presents plausible claims about Independent Media’s financial performance and strategic initiatives. However, the reliance on a single press release without independent verification sources raises significant concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information. The lack of corroborating reports from other reputable outlets further diminishes the overall credibility of the claims. Given these issues, the content cannot be fully verified, and publishing it carries inherent risks. Further independent verification is recommended before considering publication.
