Reach to Cut More Than 300 Jobs as It Shifts Toward Video and AI Content

Reach plc, the publisher of the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and several regional titles, plans to cut more than 300 jobs as part of a wide-ranging restructuring to prioritise video and artificial intelligence-driven content and to bolster digital subscription efforts.

The company told staff in an internal email that the overhaul will result in 321 redundancies and the creation of 135 new roles. Reach said it will share resources and content across its print titles and place a "new focus" on digital subscriptions as it reconfigures editorial operations. David Higgerson, Reach’s chief content officer, described the changes as "the biggest reorganisation we've ever undertaken."

Reach's portfolio includes national titles and major regional papers such as the Manchester Evening News, Birmingham Mail and Liverpool Echo. The company said the new roles will support increased video production and the integration of AI tools into content workflows, while editorial resources will be reallocated across print and digital teams to drive subscription growth.

The restructuring follows a period of sustained change in the media industry as publishers adapt to declining print advertising revenues and shifting audience habits. Reach has in recent years invested in digital publishing and subscription models, and the latest plan formalises a shift in staffing and content strategy toward multimedia formats and automated tools.

Reach did not provide a timeline for the redundancies or say which specific departments or locations would be most affected. The company said employees impacted by the changes will be notified in line with statutory consultation processes.

Industry analysts have noted that many national and regional newsrooms are experimenting with video and AI to supplement reporting and generate new revenue streams, though publishers face scrutiny over the editorial implications of automation and the economics of video content production. Reach’s announcement is one of several recent moves by large UK publishers to rebalance their workforces around digital-first operations.

In its staff message, Reach framed the reorganisation as a necessary step to remain competitive as audience consumption evolves. The company said it will continue to publish its national and regional titles while seeking to grow its digital subscription base and produce more multimedia content across its portfolio.

Reach declined to comment beyond the staff communication. Employees and unions will now enter consultation on the proposed redundancies and role changes, a process that could lead to revisions of the initial plans.