How news organisations are thinking video-first
Apr 22, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read
When we brought together over 240 digital news leaders at our recent 2026 YouTube EMEA News Summit in London, we saw a clear shift accelerating. A new generation of news creators are building loyal communities by embracing digital-native content and building authentic connections with their audience. Today, news organisations that have built relationships with their readers and viewers for decades are now adopting those strategies in the online video space.
YouTube EMEA News Summit London 2026.
We hosted a unique mix of voices — from traditional broadcasters to digital-native outlets — all focused on the future of news. Throughout the summit, three key themes stood out:
1. Embracing digital-first video formats
To grow and reach new audiences, news outlets no longer just upload segments from TV on YouTube. Instead, they are producing content made specifically for online audiences. Whether it’s snappy YouTube Shorts or in-depth investigations, news organizations are growing through video formats designed to meet viewers where they are.
“BBC News is really embracing YouTube. We are using it to reach more audiences than ever before. It’s all about making content that is fit for the platform, accessible, authentic, and uses the best of the BBC News access we get every single day.”
YouTube EMEA News Summit London 2026.
2. Deepening engagement through video podcasts
Traditional news organizations are launching video podcasts to build audience loyalty and deep engagement. With over a billion monthly active podcast users on YouTube, this is a huge opportunity for news organisations to keep viewers coming back day after day, without needing large production budgets.
“I love the fact that people are now coming and watching a 40 minute podcast show on YouTube from start to finish — it counterbalances the idea that people haven’t got an attention span any more.”
YouTube EMEA News Summit London 2026.
3. Prioritizing authenticity to build trust
A new generation of independent news voices is showing that authenticity is key to building trust. These creators excel at delivering high-quality journalism that feels personal and relatable for their audience. Emulating this success, traditional news organizations are seeking to connect even more authentically with viewers. Many are also collaborating directly with independent creators to reach younger audiences. This growing plurality of perspectives doesn't just drive engagement; it strengthens the entire news ecosystem by ensuring that a broader range of stories are told and heard.
It’s a sign that the future of news is collaborative, video-first, and happening on YouTube.
“News is becoming a more emotional way of understanding the world. In traditional media we used to try to be the perfect on-screen persona. Now we are crying together, hoping together, and talking to each other about the news.”