Episode
Ben Smith on building a $40m turnover news business in three years
- Published
- Jan 29, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2946
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- https://shows.acast.com/the-future-of-media-from-press-gazette/episodes/ben-smith-on-building-a-40m-turnover-news-business-in-three
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Summary
Media start-up Semafor reached profitability in 2025 with revenue of $40m, in the third full year after its October 2022 launch. Co-founder and editor-in-chief Ben Smith joined Press Gazette’s UK editor Charlotte Tobitt in London to discuss how the business became an overnight success in a difficult climate for media overall. Smith discussed Semafor’s expansion plans, why its initial bet on video didn’t work out, why it still doesn’t have a paywall, and shared his advice for other media business founders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.