The media landscape of California is set for a dramatic shake-up with the launch of the California Post, a new publication that brings the brash, cheeky, and conservative-friendly style of New York tabloid journalism to the West Coast. Launching on Monday 26th January 2026, this Los Angeles-based outpost of the New York Post aims to challenge what it perceives as stale reporting in the Golden State with its signature splashy headlines and provocative approach.
A Digital-First Venture with Print Ambitions
Operating with a "digital first" strategy, the California Post will leverage social media accounts alongside video and audio content to reach audiences. However, in a bold move defying industry trends, it will also offer a daily print publication available for $3.75, featuring the famously sensational front pages that made its New York sibling iconic. Editor-in-chief Nick Papps emphasised the importance of that front page, calling it the publication's "calling card" with a "unique wit."
Content Focus: From Hollywood Gossip to Hard-Hitting Issues
The inaugural edition targeted Hollywood during awards season with a headline about the Safdie brothers. Papps revealed that a growing staff of 80 to 100 journalists will focus on issues critical to everyday Californians, including homelessness, affordability, technology, and law and order. The publication will also feature a Hollywood version of the infamous Page Six gossip column, dubbed Page Six Hollywood, to cover celebrity culture with a snarky edge.
Sports coverage will be comprehensive, focusing on the state's major league teams and upcoming major events like the World Cup and Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Papps noted that sports serves as a "great connector" regardless of political affiliation.
Part of the Murdoch Empire with a Political Edge
Adding another title to Rupert Murdoch's media empire, the California Post will build upon the New York Post's national coverage, known for its relentless and skewering reporting style. Robert Thomson, CEO of corporate parent News Corp., stated the Post would engage readers "starved of serious reporting and puckish wit," criticising California's existing journalism as "jaundiced and jaded."
Potential Impact and Criticism
Gabriel Kahn, a professor at USC's Annenberg School, suggested the California Post could make an impact with its combative style and conservative stance in a state where the press is often "boring as bathwater." He expects Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a potential presidential candidate and Republican target, to be a major focus. However, Kahn cautioned that readers shouldn't expect traditional investigative journalism breakthroughs, noting the tabloid's "crass cleverness" works well on social media and could be entertaining, even if not profitable.
Kahn pointed out that the New York Post itself isn't a significant moneymaker for News Corp., but rather serves to "bludgeon its enemies" and curry favour with right-leaning power structures. The Post's media group has been influential in national politics, pushing culture-war narratives and breaking stories like the Hunter Biden laptop saga, with former President Donald Trump being an avid reader.
Launching into a Turbulent Media Climate
The venture launches during a volatile period for the news industry, particularly print journalism. Over 3,200 newspapers have closed across the US since 2005, as digital platforms reshape consumer habits and advertising markets. While California, with nearly 40 million residents, still has numerous newspapers, Los Angeles has lacked a dedicated regional tabloid in recent memory, even as established institutions like the Los Angeles Times face major layoffs.
Ted Johnson, a media editor at Deadline, called the decision to launch a print edition "defying logic," given the trend of shrinking print footprints in major metro areas. However, he noted that Rupert Murdoch's "first love is print," suggesting the move is more about influence and ideology than pure business logic.
The California Post represents a significant experiment in whether New York-style tabloid sensationalism can find a profitable and influential foothold on the West Coast, challenging both the media status quo and political narratives in America's most populous state.
