The New York Times Aims for 15M Subscribers by 2027 Amid Digital Ad Growth Boosted by Amazon AI Deal

The New York Times aims to reach 15 million subscribers by 2027, driven by accelerated digital ad growth following a deal with Amazon to use AI technology. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien stated that the company's strategy is working as designed, with growth in all major areas during Q2 2025.

The New York Times Company (NYT) reported a robust second quarter in 2025, highlighting significant growth across its major revenue lines, including subscriptions, advertising, and licensing. CEO Meredith Kopit Levien emphasized that the company's strategy is performing as designed, with the second quarter showcasing notable achievements in subscriber growth and revenue expansion [2].

Key Highlights:
- Subscription Growth: The company added 230,000 net digital-only subscribers in the second quarter, bringing the total to approximately 11.9 million. This growth was driven by a combination of news content and lifestyle-focused offerings such as Wirecutter, The Athletic, and games like Wordle [1].
- Advertising Revenue: Digital advertising revenue surged by 18.7% to $94.4 million, while total advertising revenue reached $134 million, a 12% increase. This growth was fueled by strong marketing spending and the integration of high-performing ad products [2].
- Licensing and Other Revenues: Affiliate, licensing, and other revenues climbed around 6% to $70 million, benefiting from new agreements and the operationalization of the Amazon AI partnership [2].

The company's strategic focus on digital transformation and innovation is evident in its ambitious plans to reach 15 million subscribers by 2027. Kopit Levien expressed confidence in achieving this target, noting that bundled subscribers, who engage more and stay longer, represent at least 50% of the subscriber base [2].

The company's multi-year agreement with Amazon, centered around generative AI technology, is expected to accelerate growth in digital-only subscription revenues and affiliate licensing revenues. This deal reflects the company's forward-thinking approach to leveraging technology to enhance its content offerings and revenue streams [2].

Looking ahead, NYT expects digital-only subscription revenues to increase by 13% to 16% in Q3, with total subscription revenues projected to rise by 8% to 10%. Digital advertising revenues are expected to grow in the low double digits, while affiliate licensing and other revenues are projected to increase in the high single digits [2].

References:
[1] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/york-times-forecasts-subscription-revenue-111556314.html
[2] https://seekingalpha.com/news/4479878-new-york-times-targets-15m-subscribers-by-2027-as-digital-ad-growth-accelerates-with-amazon