The New York Times Company’s digital business continued expanding during the second quarter of 2026, with digital-only subscription revenue increasing 16.4% to $407.9 million and digital advertising revenue jumping 20.7% to $114 million.
The Times added approximately 280,000 net digital-only subscribers during Q2, bringing total subscribers to 13.35 million and digital-only subscribers to 12.8 million. Digital-only average revenue per user increased 3.1% to $9.94.
Digital advertising revenue increased to approximately $114 million from $94.4 million a year earlier, driven primarily by strong marketer demand and growth in available advertising inventory. First-half digital advertising revenue increased 25.4% to $207.2 million.
At the same time, The Times continues incurring unusual legal expenses associated with generative artificial intelligence. The company recorded $4.6 million of Generative AI Litigation Costs during Q2, up 32.6% from $3.5 million a year earlier. First-half costs reached $8.84 million.
The costs relate to lawsuits alleging unlawful and unauthorized copying and use of The Times’ journalism and other content in developing generative AI products. Management began reporting these expenses as a separate special item in 2024 because it considers the proceedings discrete, complex and unusual rather than part of normal operating performance.
Overall Q2 revenue increased 11.2% to $762.5 million. Adjusted operating profit increased 16.1% to $155.3 million, while adjusted operating margin expanded approximately 90 basis points to 20.4%.
The company continues investing in journalism and lifestyle products while placing greater strategic emphasis on video as consumer behavior changes across the media industry.
KEY QUOTES:
“Q2 was another strong quarter for The Times, driven by the consistent execution of our strategy. Our results reflect the increasingly rare and valuable nature of our products, and the durability of our business model.”
“By continuing to invest in independent, high-quality journalism and market-leading lifestyle products, and leaning into our opportunity in video, we’re becoming even more essential to even more people.”
Meredith Kopit Levien, President and CEO of The New York Times Company
