Reach, the publisher of the Daily Mirror and Express newspapers, has reported a sharp decline in online revenues as the reduction in Google search and referral traffic continues to impact the business.
Digital Revenue Plunge
The group, which also publishes over 100 regional titles across the UK, revealed that digital revenues fell by 8.1% in the first three months of 2026. Referral traffic from Google was described as "materially lower" and worsened throughout the quarter.
Overall Revenue Decline
Total revenues dropped 6.9% in the three months to the end of March, with ongoing decreases in circulation and advertising sales of 5.5% and 12.8%, respectively. Shares in Reach fell sharply on Wednesday, declining as much as 12% before settling around 8% lower.
CEO Comments
Piers North, chief executive of Reach, stated: "We are undoubtedly in the middle of yet another big shift in the media world as the digital referral landscape continues to change, but we are navigating this uncertainty appropriately. We have the benefit of our scale and a portfolio of trusted brands, reaching 35 million people every month, and we continue to develop new revenue streams, in particular with our growing subscriptions business."
Stabilisation Signs and Strategic Actions
The group noted "signs of stabilisation" among on-platform online audiences, such as those from Google, but remains cautious about digital revenue outlook. Reach is taking steps to offset the online impact, including cost-cutting and expanding its video team to boost video output and appeal to social media markets. The company is also launching premium subscription offers, now live across 11 sites.
Cost-Saving Measures
In March, Reach announced it was targeting an additional 5-6% in savings over 2026, after cutting costs by 5.2% last year, and did not rule out further job losses. In February, the company closed two of its three print sites, affecting nearly 240 workers.
