As 2026 begins, Australia’s digital news landscape is entering a new phase – one defined less by disruption and more by refinement. The past few years reshaped how audiences find and consume news; the year ahead is about how publishers deepen trust, sharpen formats and make digital journalism sustainable in a crowded attention economy.
Insights from the Reuters Institute Digital News Report 2025 (Australia edition) and Roy Morgan’s Digital Media Consumption Trends point to three defining forces carrying into 2026: the normalisation of short-form video news, the cautious integration of AI-powered curation, and the evolution of subscription and revenue models.
Together, these shifts suggest that Australian audiences are no longer simply adapting to digital news – they are actively shaping it.
Short-form video moves from experiment to expectation
By 2026, short-form video is no longer a “new” format – it is a core pillar of news delivery, particularly for younger Australians. The Reuters Institute’s 2025 findings showed Instagram and TikTok firmly established as key news gateways for under-25s, a trend that continues to mature rather than plateau.
What is changing in 2026 is how publishers use video. Rather than treating short clips as promotional add-ons, newsrooms are increasingly designing stories specifically for vertical, mobile-first viewing. Explainers, on-the-ground updates and context-driven clips are replacing headline-only snippets, as audiences show greater appetite for substance – even in under-60-second formats.
For Australian publishers, the challenge in 2026 is not whether to invest in short-form video, but how to maintain editorial authority and accuracy while competing in fast-moving social feeds.
AI becomes infrastructure, not the headline
Artificial intelligence is also settling into a quieter, more structural role in 2026. While the Digital News Report 2025 highlighted growing interest in AI-powered news summaries and personalised feeds, it also revealed persistent scepticism among Australians about algorithmic news decision-making.
That tension is shaping AI’s role this year. Rather than replacing journalism, AI is increasingly embedded behind the scenes – supporting content discovery, improving searchability, assisting with translation, and helping audiences navigate large volumes of information.
Publishers entering 2026 are more deliberate about how AI is communicated to audiences. Transparency, editorial oversight and clear boundaries are becoming central to maintaining trust, particularly as misinformation and synthetic content remain concerns across digital platforms.
The message from audiences is clear: convenience matters, but credibility matters more.
Subscriptions mature as audiences value trust
Australia enters 2026 with one of the stronger digital news subscription markets globally. The Reuters Institute reported that around one in five Australians paid for online news in 2025, while Roy Morgan data showed news brands reaching more than 97 per cent of Australians each month.
In 2026, the subscription conversation is shifting from acquisition to retention. Audiences are more selective, often supporting one or two trusted outlets while relying on a mix of free sources elsewhere. Loyalty is increasingly driven by perceived value – original reporting, local relevance, expert analysis and a clear editorial voice.
Roy Morgan’s research continues to highlight that professionally produced news remains significantly more trusted than social media content. This trust advantage is shaping publisher strategies, reinforcing the role of news brands as reliable reference points in an algorithm-heavy media environment.
A year of consolidation, not retreat
If the past decade was about digital transformation, 2026 is about digital confidence. Australian audiences are comfortable moving between platforms, formats and payment models. They expect news to be accessible, engaging and credible – without needing to choose between speed and substance.
For publishers, the year ahead is less about chasing every new platform and more about strengthening what works: investing in quality journalism, using technology responsibly, and meeting audiences where they already are.
As 2026 unfolds, the defining question for digital news in Australia is no longer how audiences consume news – but why they choose to trust, follow and support it.