How did News Corp (ASX:NWS) perform in Q3 FY26?

News Corp reported a strong third quarter with total revenues rising 9% to US$2.19 billion. Profitability improved significantly, with net income increasing 13% to US$121 million and total segment EBITDA climbing 18% to US$343 million compared to the previous year.

What were the primary drivers of revenue growth for News Corp (ASX:NWS)?

Growth was led by the Digital Real Estate Services, Dow Jones, and Book Publishing segments. Specifically, REA Group saw a 20% revenue jump due to a strong Australian residential market, while Dow Jones revenues rose 8% behind a 19% increase in its Risk & Compliance business.

How did the Dow Jones segment contribute to the Q3 results?

The Dow Jones segment generated US$619 million in revenue, an 8% increase year-on-year. This performance was supported by double-digit growth in digital advertising (13%), Dow Jones Energy (12%), and the professional Risk & Compliance suite (19%).

What role is AI playing in News Corp’s (ASX:NWS) long-term strategy?

CEO Robert Thomson is positioning News Corp as an "AI inputs" provider through high-profile licensing deals with Meta and OpenAI. The strategy focuses on monetizing "content provenance"—the verified origin of high-quality journalism—to create new revenue streams as AI models require reliable data.

What is the outlook for News Corp’s (ASX:NWS) book publishing business?

HarperCollins (Book Publishing) reported an 8% revenue increase to US$555 million for the quarter. This growth was largely driven by the success of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series and the halo effect from the Heated Rivalry streaming adaptation, demonstrating the value of cross-media intellectual property.

Is News Corp (ASX:NWS) currently conducting share buybacks?

Yes, management confirmed that the company has continued to execute its enhanced share buyback program at an accelerated rate. This move suggests that leadership believes the current share price does not fully reflect the intrinsic value of the company or its future growth prospects.

News Corp profits climb amidst strategic AI pivot

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published May. 7 2026Last Updated May. 7 2026

News Corp. (ASX:NWS) unveiled its third-quarter financial results for fiscal 2026, showcasing an upward trajectory across its core business segments.

The media conglomerate reported a 9% increase in total revenues, reaching US$2.19 billion, driven by strong performances in digital real estate services, Dow Jones, and book publishing.

Profitability also saw a healthy boost, with net income rising 13% to US$121 million, while total segment EBITDA grew 18% to US$343 million.

The Dow Jones segment remained a primary engine of growth, contributing US$619 million in revenue, underpinned by a 19% rise in its risk & compliance business.

In the digital real estate sector, REA Group posted a 20% revenue increase, bolstered by a resilient Australian residential market.

Meanwhile, HarperCollins saw an 8% revenue lift, largely attributed to the popularity of Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series.

CEO Robert Thomson characterised the quarter as "compelling evidence" of the company’s ongoing digital transformation.

Beyond the balance sheet, Thomson highlighted News Corp's strategic positioning within the AI landscape, citing recent high-profile deals with Meta and OpenAI.

He described the company as an "AI inputs" provider, suggesting that the commercialisation of high-quality content provenance will bolster future profitability.

However, the report also issued a stern warning to "dodgy digital firms" engaged in illegal content scraping.

Thomson vowed to pursue those using unlicensed "bad-boy bots" to resell the company’s intellectual property.