The first-ever edition of News Corp’s newest masthead, the California Post has arrived and it aims to shake up the West Coast’s media landscape.
The conservative-leaning masthead will be a “digital first” publication with the option for print still available. The decision to launch a print newspaper in 2026 is indisputably bold, however media royalty, Rupert Murdoch—founder of News Corp—and his heir Lachlan Murdoch, have responded to a gap in the Californian market as the news media landscape shifts.
The timing is strategic as the state gears up for a high-profile mayoral race, the FIFA World Cup and the upcoming 2028 LA Olympics.
The California Post will draw upon the New York Post’s distinctive style, recognised for its provocative reporting and signature headlines. The new publications will aim to provide the same mix of national reporting and attention grabbing stories to Californian readers.
Nick Papps, the new chief editor of The California Post, is no stranger to the LA media scene, having spent three years as News Corp Australia’s West Coast correspondent. Drawing on his history under the Murdoch media dynasty, Papps has already brought on fellow Australian journalist Barclay Crawford, as deputy editor.
Crawford, who previously led the Daily Mail to the top of Australia’s online news rankings and later revamped its US operations, is viewed as a major asset in expanding the Post’s digital presence.
Joel Pollak opinion editor at the California Post told Fox News “We are a paper that represents Californians of every political party, we’ve just decided it’s time to see some changes in our society.”
The new west coast publication posted to Instagram today “The mission of The California Post is pretty simple: We will fearlessly tell the stories that matter to you, the hard-working, creative, brilliant people who proudly call the Golden State home”.
