Kerry Stokes Launches The Nightly Online Newspaper with Billionaire Backers

Billionaire Kerry Stokes unveils The Nightly, a new online newspaper, with substantial support from fellow billionaires Gina Rinehart, Chris Ellison, and Katie Page. Scheduled for launch on Monday, the venture is a collaboration with Google and promises free, mainstream news content.

Set to debut at 6pm daily, The Nightly, developed in partnership with Google, aspires to attract a broad audience, focusing on politics, business, policy, and culture. Emphasizing balanced journalism, the publication aims to cater to discerning Australians seeking thoughtful reporting free from clickbait and sensationalism.

The Nightly’s main backers include Chris Ellison, Gina Rinehart, and Katie Page, bolstering its financial stability for at least a year. Advertisers such as Woodside, Ladbrokes, Colliers, BHP, and other major companies have already shown interest in partnering with the publication.

Kerry Stokes, the media magnate behind Seven Network and The West Australian, is spearheading this new endeavor in what appears to be a move to enhance influence and reach beyond his existing media holdings in Western Australia.

Former editor Chris Dore, previously associated with News Corp, will contribute to The Nightly, focusing primarily on federal politics. The paper, designed with Google’s expertise, will also feature content from renowned sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and CNBC.

The Nightly seeks to disrupt the Australian news landscape with a fresh approach, targeting a niche audience interested in high-quality journalism that aligns with their values and beliefs. With a team of 15 dedicated professionals, the publication aims to provide engaging and insightful news coverage.