Media Briefing: Tough market, but Q4 lifts publishers’ hopes for 2026

This week’s Media Briefing focuses on publishers’ stronger-than-expected Q4 ad revenue, with many seeing year-over-year growth that is sending positive signals as their businesses head into 2026.

• Q4 ad spend lifts publishers’ hopes for 2026.
• News publishers’ lawsuit against AI startup Cohere moves forward, FT launches a free Substack for younger readers, and more.

After a steadier-than-expected start to the fourth quarter, publishers are heading into 2026 feeling… well, less bad.

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