Rupert Murdoch Schedules California Post Launch for January 26

Rupert Murdoch’s highly anticipated California Post is set to launch on January 26. Executives at News Corp. shared the official news with staff, emphasizing their goal to “set the agenda, entertain, and disrupt the status quo.” The new publication will be available in both digital and print formats and will operate from the Fox studio lot in Century City.

Launch Details of the California Post

In a memo to the team, Keith Poole, editor-in-chief of NYP Media Group, and Nick Papps, the California Post editor-in-chief, expressed excitement for the launch, stating, “January 26 is our moment.” They acknowledged the hard work that has gone into making this vision a reality.

A Bold Move by News Corp.

This launch represents a significant strategic move by News Corp., which is now under the leadership of Lachlan Murdoch, with Rupert Murdoch still providing input. CEO Robert Thomson is spearheading this initiative, aiming to deliver the kind of populist journalism that the New York Post is known for, but tailored for a West Coast audience.

• Target Audience: Everyday hard-working Californians, not elites.
• Key Features: Local sports reporting, boots-on-the-ground journalism, and regional gossip.
• Page Six Variant: The California Post will introduce a West Coast version of Page Six, led by Ian Mohr.

Papps highlighted the positive response to the impending launch, suggesting that many in California are disillusioned with existing media outlets and are eager for change. “People are tired of legacy media; they want change, and that change starts on January 26,” he stated.

Competitors and Market Context

News Corp. announced plans for the California launch last summer, identifying the Los Angeles Times and other local competitors as targets. Thomson remarked that Los Angeles needs a revitalized flavor of journalism, stating, “We are at a pivotal moment for the city and the state.”

The California Post aims to fill a journalistic void by providing serious reporting with a dash of humor. “Readers are starved for serious reporting and puckish wit,” Thomson added, reinforcing the publication’s mission to engage and enlighten the public.