What The Free Press does

The Free Press is a subscription-based digital media company that publishes investigative journalism, opinion, and cultural commentary targeted at readers seeking perspectives positioned as alternatives to mainstream U.S. news outlets. Founded around 2020–2021 by Bari Weiss following her departure from The New York Times, the publication is operated by Runaway Media, Inc. and serves politically independent, conservative-leaning, and heterodox-thinking audiences. It was acquired by Paramount Skydance for $150 million in October 2025, with Weiss concurrently appointed editor-in-chief of CBS News, integrating the brand into Paramount's broader news operations.

The company distributes content through a Substack-based publishing platform augmented by native iOS and Android mobile applications (the iOS app holds a 4.9/5 rating with 12,000+ ratings and a #105 ranking in the Apple App Store News category). Its core product surface spans a daily editorial publication, multiple original podcasts (Honestly with Bari Weiss, Conversations with Coleman, Breaking History, The Lindbergh Conspiracies, School of War, Spiral), video investigations and livestreams, signature columns (TGIF, Tough Love), community features (the Free Press Forum launched May 2026), and live events including the Supper Club series across 28 cities in three countries and the CBS News-co-produced "Things That Matter" town halls.

The Free Press generates revenue primarily through subscription tiers ($10/month, $100/year, and a $359.99/year premium tier offering event access and community features), supplemented by branded merchandise sales and corporate sponsorships such as Bank of America's backing of the "Things That Matter" series. The go-to-market is direct-to-consumer, leveraging Bari Weiss's personal brand, content marketing across podcasts and video, the Free Press email newsletter, and cross-promotion with CBS News following the Paramount acquisition.

Name

The Free Press

Legal name

Runaway Media, Inc.

Website

https://thefp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2021

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Free Press is a subscription-based digital media company founded by Bari Weiss in 2020–2021, publishing investigative journalism and commentary for politically independent and conservative-leaning readers. Acquired by Paramount Skydance for $150 million in October 2025 and integrated with CBS News.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital News and Commentary

NAICS

Periodical Publishers (51312), Newspaper Publishers (513110), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (516210)

SIC

Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711), Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative/Independent Newsweeklies & Opinion Press (MPAJADAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

News, Politics & Current Affairs Magazines (MPAJAEAO)

Keywords

• Digital media subscription
• Investigative journalism
• Independent news commentary
• Political opinion writing
• Podcast and video media

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue: Monthly and annual subscription tiers providing access to investigative journalism, commentary, podcasts, and community features. Subscribers receive exclusive content, forum access, and event invitations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Free Press is a subscription-based digital news and commentary publication offering investigative journalism, opinion columns, podcasts, and video content on politics, culture, and international affairs. Built on Substack's publishing platform, it offers paid subscription tiers (Monthly $10, Annual $100, Premium $359.99) and operates community features including a subscriber forum, live events (Supper Club gatherings in 28 cities), and the 'Things That Matter' town hall series co-produced with CBS News.

Product overview

The Free Press is a subscription-based digital media publication built on Substack's publishing platform, operated by Runaway Media, Inc. The offering combines a core editorial publication with multiple content formats including podcasts (Honestly with Bari Weiss, Breaking History, Conversations with Coleman, The Lindbergh Conspiracies, Spiral, School of War), video content (Free Press Live, debates, interviews), and community features (Forum). The publication is distributed through its website, native mobile applications for iOS and Android, email newsletters, and live events including the Supper Club gatherings and the CBS News-partnered 'Things That Matter' town hall series. Revenue is generated through subscription tiers (Monthly $10, Annual $100, Premium $360) and merchandise sales. The platform positions itself as offering journalism that bridges political divides with a focus on investigative reporting and provocative commentary.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Free Press Subscription Publication A subscription-based digital news and commentary publication offering investigative journalism, opinion columns, and analysis on politics, culture, international affairs, and social issues, built on Substack's publishing platform with monthly and annual subscription tiers.
• Podcasts Multiple podcast shows including 'Honestly with Bari Weiss,' 'Breaking History with Eli Lake,' 'Conversations with Coleman,' 'The Lindbergh Conspiracies,' 'Spiral: Murder in Detroit,' 'School of War,' 'The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling,' and 'Raising Parents with Emily Oster,' available as audio and video content.
• Video Content Video investigations, livestreams, interviews, and debate recordings including series such as 'Free Press Live,' 'FP in Israel,' 'Swing State Debates,' 'The Freedom Debates,' and 'The America Debates.'
• The Free Press Mobile Application Native iOS and Android mobile application providing access to articles, podcasts, videos, notifications, and the community forum, with features including dark mode, in-app listening, and topic-based alerts.
• Things That Matter Town Hall Series A series of town halls and debates produced in partnership between CBS News and The Free Press, covering topics such as immigration, AI, and foreign policy, sponsored by Bank of America.
• Shop Merchandise E-commerce store selling branded merchandise including hats, totes, and specialty items such as 'TGIF socks' and 'America at 250' commemorative products.
• Newsletters Daily and weekly email newsletters delivering curated content, commentary, and updates to subscribers, including the flagship daily newsletter and specialized topic-based editions.

Quantifiable outcome

• App ranked #105 in News category on Apple App Store with 4.9 star rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CBS NewscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 December 2025CBS News and The Free Press partnered to launch 'Things That Matter,' a series of town halls and debates addressing topics including immigration, AI, and foreign policy. The initiative aims to promote civil discourse during America's 250th anniversary year and features high-profile participants including Vice President JD Vance and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. This partnership represents a unique cross-promotional relationship between the parent company (Paramount) properties.
• Bank of AmericaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 18 December 2025Bank of America serves as the sponsor for the 'Things That Matter' town hall series, providing financial support for the events featuring prominent figures like Vice President JD Vance and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• The Daily Wire: Conservative digital media company founded by Ben Shapiro offering news, opinion, podcasts, and video content to a politically engaged audience. Directly comparable to The Free Press as a digitally native, opinion-driven subscription and advertising-supported media outlet targeting right-of-center readers seeking alternatives to mainstream media.
• The Dispatch: Subscription-based digital news and opinion publication focused on politics, policy, and culture with a heterodox, classically liberal editorial stance. Closely comparable to The Free Press in subscription model, opinion-led journalism, podcast offerings, and target audience of politically independent readers.
• The Bulwark: Subscription news and opinion site founded by Bill Kristol and Charlie Sykes, offering anti-Trump conservative and heterodox perspectives. Comparable to The Free Press in subscription model, opinion-focused journalism, podcast content, and audience seeking principled conservative alternatives to legacy media.
• Puck News: Subscription-based digital media company covering media, politics, Hollywood, and business with high-profile journalists producing paywalled newsletters. Directly comparable to The Free Press in subscription business model, opinion-driven journalism, premium pricing, and target audience of politically engaged professionals.
• The Intercept: Independent investigative journalism outlet covering national security, politics, and civil liberties, founded as a counterweight to mainstream media. Comparable to The Free Press in positioning as an independent alternative to legacy media, investigative reporting focus, and subscription-supported digital model.
• Tablet Magazine: Independent online magazine covering Jewish culture, politics, ideas, and religion with a subscription-supported model. Comparable to The Free Press as a niche independent opinion publication with subscription revenue, podcast offerings, and a culturally specific audience seeking alternatives to mainstream media.

Broad incumbents

• The Atlantic: Established magazine and digital publication offering long-form journalism, cultural commentary, and politics coverage under a paid subscription model. Comparable to The Free Press in subscription model and editorial ambition across politics/culture, though with a much larger archive and broader editorial perspective.
• National Review: Long-established conservative magazine and digital publication offering news, opinion, and analysis on politics and culture. Comparable to The Free Press in conservative editorial perspective and commentary focus, though with a longer history and different distribution model.
• The New York Times: Legacy newspaper with a large digital subscription base covering politics, culture, opinion, and investigative journalism. Comparable to The Free Press as a paid subscription news publication competing for the same audience segment of politically engaged, paying news consumers.

Emerging players

• Substack: Newsletter and subscription publishing platform that hosts The Free Press itself, enabling independent writers to monetize directly via email subscriptions. Comparable as both an enabling infrastructure (current platform of The Free Press) and as a competitive threat, since individual Substack writers can attract overlapping audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TheFP
• Facebookfacebook.com/readthefreepress
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/thefreepress

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Free Press