The Real News Network
The Real News Network is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces independent video journalism and documentaries on labor rights, criminal justice, and social justice, funded entirely by viewer donations and foundation grants without advertising.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What The Real News Network does
The Real News Network (TRNN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit digital media organization founded in 2005 and legally incorporated as Independent World Television, Inc. in Maryland. The organization produces independent, fact-based video journalism and documentary reporting through a portfolio of original shows including Police Accountability Report, Rattling the Bars, The Marc Steiner Show, Working People Podcast, Edge of Sports, Under the Shadow, and Stories of Resistance. Content covers labor rights, criminal justice and policing, U.S. politics and democracy, Palestine and global justice, economic inequality, racial justice, and Baltimore local issues. The editorial team is led by Editor in Chief Maximilian Alvarez.
TRNN's technology platform is built on the Newspack content management system, distributing content through a multi-channel digital footprint that includes YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Bluesky, Mastodon, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, email newsletters, and SMS text message updates. The organization also offers SecureDrop for anonymous source submissions, reflecting its commitment to whistleblower protection and source security.
The business model is entirely donation-based with zero advertising revenue and no corporate sponsorship accepted. Revenue derives from grassroots viewer donations (monthly, one-time, and yearly contributions at tiers from $10 to $500) and the Solidarity Circle program, which cultivates leadership-level annual gifts of $1,000 or more from foundations and individual supporters. Named foundation partners include the Baltimore Civic Fund, Baltimore Community Foundation, Bertha Foundation, Solutions Journalism Network, Scripps Howard Fund, Tarbell Family Foundation, Digital Lift, and Fund for Change. The organization serves a target audience of progressive viewers, activists, union members, and social justice advocates seeking perspectives outside mainstream corporate media.
The Real News Network firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Real News Network
- Legal name
- Independent World Television, Inc.
- Website
- https://therealnews.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Real News Network is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces independent video journalism and documentaries on labor rights, criminal justice, and social justice, funded entirely by viewer donations and foundation grants without advertising.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Real News Network industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Independent Digital News
- NAICS
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Broadcasting and Content Providers (516), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162)
- SIC
- Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Newspapers: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer News & Digital Newsrooms (Web/App-First) (MPAJADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF), News Streaming Platforms (MPACAAAF)
Keywords
Where The Real News Network is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Real News Network business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Viewer Donations: TRNN operates as a 100% viewer-supported nonprofit organization with no corporate funding. Financial support comes from grassroots donors through monthly, one-time, and yearly donation options. The organization also has a Solidarity Circle program for leadership-level annual contributions of $1,000 or more.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
The Real News Network product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Real News Network (TRNN) is a nonprofit digital media organization that produces and distributes independent, fact-based video journalism, documentary reporting, and podcasts. Its content covers U.S. politics, labor rights, Palestine and global justice, economic inequality, criminal justice reform, racial justice, climate crisis, and Baltimore local news. All content is freely accessible to viewers, with no paywalls, advertising, or corporate sponsorship.
Product overview
The Real News Network (TRNN) is a nonprofit digital media organization that produces independent, fact-based video journalism and documentary reporting. The network offers a platform of multiple shows and podcasts including Police Accountability Report, Rattling the Bars, The Marc Steiner Show, Working People Podcast, Edge of Sports, Under the Shadow, and Stories of Resistance. Content covers topics including workers and labor rights, U.S. politics and democracy, Palestine and global justice, economic inequality, media accountability, racial justice, climate crisis, prisons and policing, and Baltimore local coverage. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit funded entirely by viewer support without advertising or corporate sponsorship.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Police Accountability Report
Companies that use The Real News Network
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
The Real News Network technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Real News Network partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Real News Network competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Democracy Now!: Independent, viewer-funded daily news program covering progressive politics, social movements, and global affairs. Both are nonprofit, donation-supported, multi-platform news organizations with strong progressive positioning and a multi-decade operating history.
- The Intercept: Online nonprofit news publication focused on investigative journalism, accountability reporting, and adversarial coverage of government and corporate power. Closely comparable to TRNN's investigative, anti-corporate media stance.
- ProPublica: Leading nonprofit investigative newsroom funded primarily by philanthropic donations, producing deep accountability journalism. Comparable in nonprofit funding model and investigative focus, though at significantly larger scale.
- Common Dreams: Reader-supported independent news outlet covering progressive politics, social justice, and environmental issues. Directly comparable nonprofit, donation-funded model and progressive audience targeting.
- Truthout: Nonprofit news organization publishing investigative reporting and analysis on social justice, human rights, and progressive politics. Closely aligned with TRNN's mission, audience, and donor-supported funding model.
- The Nation: Long-running progressive magazine and digital outlet covering politics, labor, and culture. Comparable in editorial positioning and progressive audience, though it operates on a paid subscription model rather than donations.
- Mother Jones: Investigative nonprofit news magazine covering politics, social justice, and accountability reporting. Comparable nonprofit funding model and investigative focus, with a longer print and digital history.
- Jacobin: Socialist-leaning magazine and digital media outlet covering labor, politics, and social movements. Comparable in progressive editorial positioning and audience demographics, with a similar mix of articles, video, and podcasts.
Emerging players
- The Young Turks (TYT): Progressive digital-first news and commentary network with a strong YouTube and podcast presence. Comparable progressive audience and digital distribution model, though operating as a larger commercial entity rather than a nonprofit.
- Current Affairs: Reader-supported progressive magazine covering politics, economics, and culture from a left perspective. Comparable niche progressive positioning, though smaller scale and primarily text-based rather than video.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Real News Network social profiles
Digital presenceThe Real News Network financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Real News Network leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
The Real News Network funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Real News Network M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Real News Network
What does The Real News Network do?
The Real News Network (TRNN) is a nonprofit digital media organization that produces and distributes independent, fact-based video journalism, documentary reporting, and podcasts. Its content covers U.S. politics, labor rights, Palestine and global justice, economic inequality, criminal justice reform, racial justice, climate crisis, and Baltimore local news. All content is freely accessible to viewers, with no paywalls, advertising, or corporate sponsorship.
Is The Real News Network a public or private company?
The Real News Network is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Real News Network founded?
The Real News Network was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Real News Network based?
The Real News Network is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Real News Network make money?
One revenue line is on record: viewer Donations.
Who are The Real News Network's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Democracy Now!, The Intercept, ProPublica, Common Dreams, Truthout, The Nation, Mother Jones and Jacobin. Emerging players are The Young Turks (TYT) and Current Affairs.
Does The Real News Network have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Real News Network.
What industry is The Real News Network in?
The Real News Network's product category is Independent Digital News. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAJADAD, Consumer News & Digital Newsrooms (Web/App-First), with a secondary code of MPAJADAF, Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations. Its NAICS code is 5131 and its SIC code is 4833.