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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business

Newspaper ABCs, Gawker axed, ITV shutdown

Newspaper websites were left with a Brexit hangover after the record traffic during the EU referendum campaign.
Newspaper websites were left with a Brexit hangover after the record traffic during the EU referendum campaign. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/AFP/Getty Images

The big story

The latest ABC stats for newspapers online show a not unexpected slide for most titles in July. You would expect it to be difficult to sustain the levels of interest in news seen during the EU referendum and its immediate aftermath.

Yet those almost across-the-board slips (the Mirror bucked the trend) reflect a fact that has become increasingly clear in recent months – the only way is not necessarily up for digital news audiences.

Yes, most news sites will expect to keep growing, but it’s not the sort of given it was only a couple of years ago. Targeting new online audiences, navigating changes in Facebook’s algorithm and constantly refining how news is delivered are all going to be necessary to maintain growth, and even keep readers at their current levels. But what the last two months remind us even more starkly, is that it is the big stories that get you readers.

Media Guardian top stories

Gawker Media founder Nick Denton walks out of the courthouse in St Petersburg, Florida, during the trial involving Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea.
Gawker Media founder Nick Denton walks out of the courthouse in St Petersburg, Florida, during the trial involving Terry ‘Hulk Hogan’ Bollea. Photograph: Eve Edelheit/AP

Gawker.com to shut down next week after acquisition by Univision

ITV to shut down for an hour as part of post-Olympic sports event

Charlie Webster out of coma after nearly dying, mother says

Miranda Hart says she is not returning to Call the Midwife

YouTube star Louis Cole denies making propaganda films for North Korea

Trinity Mirror’s ex-legal director Paul Vickers joins the Telegraph

Sky News’ Poppy Trowbridge to be chancellor’s special adviser

MP criticises Sir Philip Green after billionaire clashes with TV reporter

Day with the Dead: surviving 24 hours on the set of Fear the Walking Dead

Best of the rest

Naga Munchetty is to appear on Strictly Come Dancing
Naga Munchetty is to appear on Strictly Come Dancing Photograph: Scott Kershaw

Block and ball: Facebook is locked in a game of ping pong with the ad blockers, says Business Insider

Balanced view? Another in-depth look at the Canary, this time from Politico

Not Now: The New York Times has shut its app NYT Now, reports Poynter

On Fire: US cable company A+E Networks is launching a freeview channel in the UK called Blaze, says C21

BBC Newsreader Naga Munchetty is the ninth contestant announced for Strictly Come Dancing, reports the Telegraph

And finally...

The Telegraph, Mirror, Evening Standard and Metro all lauded Jeremy Clarkson for offering some consolation to those missing out on their desired A-level results, but few twigged that this isn’t the first time the former Top Gear presenter has so generously shared inspiring tales of his poor academic record and subsequent good fortune.

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