Right-wing news heading to the west coast: Murdoch initiates The California Post for residents in California
The California Post: A New Voice in Los Angeles' Media Landscape
In early 2026, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp will launch The California Post, a new daily newspaper aimed at capturing the interest of Los Angeles readers with a mix of tabloid-style news, deep local coverage, and specialized business reporting.
The move comes as a strategic extension of the media empire's reach, following the success of the New York Post, which has a significant readership in California. Los Angeles, in fact, is home to the second-largest concentration of New York Post readers, with 90% of its digital traffic coming from outside New York.
The California Post will be published daily in both print and digital formats, much like its East Coast counterpart. The newspaper will be produced by a dedicated California-based team of reporters, editors, and photographers, led by editor-in-chief Nick Papps, who joins from News Corp's Australian operation. Keith Poole, editor-in-chief of the New York Post, will oversee the California Post.
The California Post will emulate the New York Post’s style, featuring journalism, entertainment and celebrity gossip, sports news, local news, and opinion delivered with an edgy voice tailored to a West Coast audience. It will integrate relevant national coverage from the New York Post, while focusing more deeply on local issues such as homelessness, wildfires, immigration, and the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election.
The newspaper will also delve into emerging West Coast industries such as AI, technology, and entertainment. This blend of the New York Post's "puckish wit" with local relevance aims to capture a distinctive niche, appealing to readers who follow celebrity, local issues, and innovation sectors.
The California Post enters a competitive Los Angeles media market, which already includes major players like the Los Angeles Times, local TV news networks, and digital outlets. However, with the Los Angeles Times experiencing significant staff layoffs and financial losses, there is an opportunity for The California Post to provide a much-needed alternative in California's media landscape.
News Corp views The California Post as a popular, bold alternative to what it describes as “jaundiced, jaded journalism” in Los Angeles. The company believes that California is ready for more tabloid grit, irreverent takes, and a new voice in the state's evolving media battleground.
However, critics may view the launch of The California Post as a politically calculated move. As Los Angeles and California prepare to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, attracting increased attention to the region, The California Post could potentially shape public opinion and discourse in the lead-up to these major events.
In summary, The California Post will launch in 2026 as a West Coast counterpart to the New York Post, aiming to leverage an established brand voice to capture Los Angeles readers' interest with a mix of tabloid-style news, deep local coverage, and specialized business reporting.
- The California Post, with its blend of entertainment, local news, sports, and opinion, plans to cover a wide range of topics, including politics and general news, to cater to the diverse interests of its audience.
- As the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics approach, The California Post could potentially exert influence on the public discourse and opinion shaping in Los Angeles, given its unique style and strategic positioning in the competitive media landscape.
