Going coastal: The NY Post is coming to California

The right-leaning New York Post is making a pivot to the left coast. The tabloid is launching the California Post out of a Los Angeles headquarters in early 2026, a move that comes as local news options are dwindling and elections are forthcoming.

While starting a newspaper now may seem like starting a horse-and-buggy company 20 years after the arrival of the automobile, there’s evidence that parent company News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch has done his homework:

• The Post says it’s been profitable the past three years, a rare feat in the industry.
• Los Angeles already has the second-largest concentration of Post readers. Now, it will have a pun-loving paper of its own.
• The Los Angeles Times, LAist, and LA Weekly have all cut staff in recent years. The Times laid off 20% of its newsroom in January of 2024, and owner Patrick Soon-Shiong said the paper was losing $30 million to $40 million annually. This could create a space for The Post to thrive.

Zoom out: The Post cited the midterm and gubernatorial elections happening next year in California, a staunchly blue state, as one reason behind the timing. “We are at a pivotal moment for the city and the state, and there is no doubt that The Post will play a crucial role,” said Robert Thomson, CEO of News Corp.