Who Owns Newsweek: Top Shareholders

• Newsweek is privately owned by two equal shareholders — Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis — each holding a 50% stake in the company.
• Dev Pragad serves as both co-owner and CEO, giving him operational control, strategic authority, and direct influence over Newsweek’s digital expansion and global growth.
• Johnathan Davis shares equal ownership and plays a major governance role, overseeing high-level decisions, structural approvals, and long-term corporate direction.

Newsweek is incorporated in New York and its legal entity is registered in the United States. The brand now functions under the parent organisation Newsweek Publishing LLC, which was spun off in 2018 as a separate company.

It has its headquarters in New York City and operates print, digital and international licence editions.

Newsweek is a long-standing American news magazine and media brand founded in 1933. It originally appeared as a weekly print publication but in recent years has become a global digital news organization. The brand covers international issues, politics, business, culture and technology across multiple platforms and has expanded its reach well beyond the United States.

Today, it operates with a strong digital presence and international editions. According to the company, it reaches as many as 100 million unique users per month across its platforms.

Newsweek Founders

Newsweek was founded on February 17, 1933, by Thomas J.C. Martyn, a former foreign editor at Time magazine. Martyn envisioned a weekly publication that summarized major national and international events in an accessible format.

He launched the magazine with the financial backing of several influential American investors, including:

• Ward Cheney, a member of the prominent Cheney family known for involvement in business and public service.
• John Hay Whitney, an American financier, diplomat, and publisher who later became the U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom.
• Paul Mellon, philanthropist and member of the Mellon banking family.

Together, this founding group provided the financial base that allowed Newsweek (originally “News-Week”) to launch during the challenging economic era of the Great Depression. Their goal was to create a news platform that condensed the most important events of the week—a format that quickly gained traction and readership.

Newsweek Major Milestones

Below is an expanded list of key milestones, showing how Newsweek evolved over nine decades:

• 1933 – News-Week is launched by Thomas J.C. Martyn as a weekly news digest.
• 1934–1937 – The magazine expands coverage beyond summaries to include analysis and photojournalism, strengthening its editorial voice.
• 1937 – News-Week merges with Today magazine and becomes Newsweek, dropping the hyphen and expanding its audience.
• 1940s–1950s – Newsweek grows into one of America’s leading weekly news publications, covering World War II, global politics, and cultural shifts.
• 1961 – The Washington Post Company acquires Newsweek, marking a major expansion period under new corporate leadership.
• 1970s–1980s – The magazine reaches peak influence, becoming one of the “big three” U.S. news weeklies alongside Time and U.S. News & World Report.
• 1990s – Newsweek launches special issues, global editions, and early digital experiments as the internet begins to reshape media.
• 2010 – Sold to Sidney Harman; later that year, Newsweek merges with The Daily Beast, forming Newsweek Daily Beast Company.
• 2012 – Newsweek ends its regular U.S. print edition and becomes a digital-first publication due to shifting media consumption trends.
• 2013 – IBT Media acquires Newsweek, aiming to revive the brand through digital transformation.
• 2014 – The print edition is relaunched alongside digital operations, restoring the iconic magazine format.
• 2018 – Newsweek is spun off into Newsweek Publishing LLC, separating it from IBT Media and forming the company’s current structure.
• 2020–2022 – Newsweek strengthens its global digital presence, expands international editions, and rebuilds newsroom operations.
• 2023 – Newsweek celebrates its 90th anniversary, marking nine decades of journalism, global reporting, and brand evolution.
• 2024–2025 – The publication continues its digital transformation, growing as an international news platform with major online reach and renewed brand influence.

Who Owns Newsweek: Major Shareholders

• Newsweek is co-owned equally by Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis (50% by each).
• Pragad, as CEO and co-owner, holds operational and executive authority.
• Davis, as co-owner and board-level leader, influences governance, approvals, and strategic direction.
• Both have equal voting rights, meaning corporate control relies on shared agreement and cooperation.

As of November 2025, Newsweek is privately owned and controlled by two principal shareholders. Both hold equal ownership rights, but their roles within the company differ significantly. This shapes how strategic decisions are made, how the newsroom operates, and how the publication continues its digital expansion. The ownership structure is unique because it combines equal equity with differing levels of operational authority.

Dev Pragad

Dev Pragad is one of the two equal co-owners of Newsweek. He also serves as the President and CEO, which gives him both executive power and ownership authority. His role in the company is not limited to equity — he is the central figure responsible for rebuilding the brand’s reputation, scaling its digital footprint, and strengthening editorial standards since the company became independent.

As an owner, Pragad holds equal voting rights on all major governance issues, including board appointments, long-term strategy, and structural changes. As CEO, he has a dual position:

• He controls day-to-day operations.
• He makes executive decisions regarding editorial leadership, digital strategy, hiring, and global expansion.

This combination gives him substantial practical control over the direction of the company. His leadership has also shaped Newsweek’s transformation from a struggling legacy publication into a competitive digital media brand with global reach in 2025.

Johnathan Davis

Johnathan Davis is the second co-owner of Newsweek. He shares equal ownership rights with Dev Pragad, which means both hold the same equity position in the company. While Davis does not manage daily operations, he plays a major role in governance, oversight, and long-term decision-making.

Davis’s ownership position gives him authority and influence in:

• Approving major strategic initiatives.
• Participating in budget, structural, and policy-level decisions.
• Overseeing the company’s compliance, corporate structure, and board activities.
• Ensuring that the editorial and business directions align with overall ownership goals.

His involvement is significant because equal ownership means no single individual can independently change the company’s direction without the agreement of the other. Davis acts as a stabilizing and balancing force, ensuring strategic decisions reflect the joint ownership vision rather than unilateral control.

Newsweek Ownership History

Newsweek’s ownership journey spans more than nine decades, moving from independent investors to major media corporations and finally to private co-ownership. Each ownership era shaped the magazine’s editorial direction, business strategy, and transformation from print to digital.

Below is a detailed breakdown of how Newsweek’s ownership evolved:

Early Independent Ownership (1933–1961)

Newsweek began as an independently funded publication when Thomas J.C. Martyn launched “News-Week” in 1933. The magazine was backed by several wealthy American investors, including Ward Cheney, Paul Mellon, and John Hay Whitney.

During this period, Newsweek operated as a stand-alone company. Its ownership remained among its founding investors and internal leadership. The publication grew quickly and established itself as one of America’s leading weekly news magazines. This era cemented Newsweek’s identity as a serious and respected journalism brand.

The Washington Post Company Era (1961–2010)

In 1961, The Washington Post Company (later called Graham Holdings Company) acquired Newsweek. This marked one of the most stable and influential periods in the publication’s history.

Under the Post’s ownership, Newsweek expanded internationally, strengthened investigative reporting, and reached peak circulation during the 1970s and 1980s. This era is often seen as Newsweek’s “golden age,” when it became one of the top three U.S. news magazines.

However, as print media declined in the 2000s, Newsweek faced financial strain, leading the Washington Post Company to sell the publication.

Sidney Harman Ownership (2010–2011)

In 2010, audio magnate Sidney Harman purchased Newsweek for a symbolic price, reportedly just $1 plus the assumption of liabilities.

Harman aimed to revive the publication but quickly recognized the challenges facing weekly print magazines. During his ownership, a key step was taken: merging Newsweek with The Daily Beast to form the Newsweek Daily Beast Company.

Harman’s period was transitional and lasted until his death in 2011, after which the joint venture continued without him.

The Newsweek–Daily Beast Joint Venture (2010–2013)

The merger between Newsweek and The Daily Beast was designed to combine print legacy with digital expertise.

Barry Diller’s company, IAC/InterActiveCorp, co-owned the joint venture with Harman’s estate.

During this era, editorial teams merged, digital operations expanded, and efforts were made to keep print alive. Despite these efforts, the challenges of print media continued, and by late 2012, the U.S. print edition of Newsweek was suspended.
Eventually, IAC and Harman’s estate decided the partnership was not sustainable long-term.

IBT Media Ownership (2013–2018)

In 2013, IBT Media acquired Newsweek from IAC. Under IBT Media:

• The print edition was revived in 2014.
• Newsweek underwent a digital reconstruction.
• The company expanded its international licensing and global editions.

Although IBT Media invested heavily in rebuilding the brand, the company faced various controversies and financial pressures.

By 2018, a major corporate restructuring separated Newsweek into a completely independent entity.

Transition to Newsweek Publishing LLC (2018)

In September 2018, Newsweek was formally spun off into Newsweek Publishing LLC, making it independent from IBT Media.

This restructuring changed the ownership model entirely, removing corporate parent companies and allowing private individuals to take direct control. This marked the beginning of Newsweek’s modern ownership structure.

Co-Ownership by Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis (2018–2025)

After the 2018 spin-off, Newsweek became privately co-owned by Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis, each holding 50% ownership.

Their era represents the most significant transformation since the digital boom:

• Dev Pragad, as CEO, rebuilt editorial teams, digital systems, and business operations.
• Newsweek grew into a global digital platform reaching millions.
• The ownership structure became streamlined, with two equal shareholders and no external institutions controlling the company.

Who is the CEO of Newsweek?

The chief executive leading Newsweek is Dev Pragad. He serves as President & CEO, and also holds ownership in the company. His dual role gives him both operational command and significant equity influence. The details below provide a clear picture of his background, role, compensation, and personal net worth as of November 2025.

Background and Career

Dev Pragad was born in India and later became a British-American citizen. He studied at King’s College London in engineering and completed executive education at Harvard Business School.

Before becoming CEO of Newsweek, he held leadership roles in international editions and digital media. In 2018, Newsweek was spun off into an independent company, and Pragad became CEO of the newly structured business.

Under his direction, the company shifted strongly toward digital platforms, repositioning the brand for modern media consumption and international reach.

Role and Responsibilities as CEO

As CEO, Pragad oversees all major functions of Newsweek. This includes editorial strategy, digital transformation, business operations, revenue generation, global expansion, and organizational culture.

He also holds an ownership stake — making him not only the top executive but also part-owner of the company. This gives him combined operational and strategic accountability.

Major initiatives under his leadership include expanding the brand digitally, launching “rankings” verticals (such as “World’s Best Hospitals”), revitalizing the print edition in some markets, and launching new business-to-business revenue streams.

Salary and Net Worth of Dev Pragad

Pragad’s fixed salary is reported in legal filings and court documents as capped around $225,000 annually for salary plus bonus under specific restrictions.

However, given his status as 50% owner of Newsweek, his actual annual compensation likely includes other elements such as profit-sharing, equity dividends, performance bonuses, and non-cash benefits, making the total value higher than the publicly referenced cap.

Because Pragad owns half of Newsweek, his personal net worth is heavily tied to the company’s valuation. Newsweek’s value under his leadership is estimated to exceed $300 million, making his ownership stake potentially worth in the region of $150 million or more.

Taking into account his executive compensation, accumulated dividends and possibly other personal assets, industry observers estimate his personal net worth lies in the $150-$200 million range as of November 2025.

Influence and Impact

Under Pragad’s leadership, Newsweek’s digital monthly unique users reportedly reached approximately 100 million across all platforms. The company has turned profitable, with projected revenue growth of 20-30% in recent years.

He has steered the company toward business-to-business advertising, global editions, licensing and events, and other diversified revenue streams rather than relying solely on legacy print advertising.

Pragad’s combined role of ownership and management gives him significant influence over both strategic vision and operational execution. His tenure marks a major shift away from earlier models toward a streamlined, modern media organization.

Newsweek Annual Revenue and Net Worth

As of November 2025, Newsweek has achieved strong financial performance and a markedly increased valuation. The latest annual revenue sits at approximately $90 million, with an estimated company net worth that exceeds $320 million. The sections below explore these figures in greater detail.

Revenue Performance

Newsweek reported revenue of about $90 million in the most recent full year. This figure represents a significant recovery from earlier years when revenues were much lower and the company operated at a loss.

A key driver of this growth has been its digital advertising business model, which in the most recent year contributed a substantial portion of total revenue. The company has also increased its focus on expanding business-to-business verticals (including rankings and licensing), events, and digital subscription experiments.

Although these newer segments remain relatively small compared to advertising, they reflect a strategic shift that underpins Newsweek’s revenue growth.

Within the $90 million total, roughly 63% came from digital advertising, with the remainder derived from syndication, licensing and other revenue streams. The company now aims to grow revenue by 10-15% annually, with a goal of diversifying away from open-web programmatic ads by reducing its dependency to around 55 % of revenue from that source in the coming years.

Net Worth

With the strong revenue performance and profitable operations, Newsweek’s valuation has climbed notably. Market observers estimate the company’s net worth to exceed $320 million as of November 2025. This valuation is supported by stable profit margins (around 20%) and growth in digital reach and licensing opportunities.

Because Newsweek is privately held, the valuation is not a public market figure, but rather an estimate derived from revenue multiples, profit margins, growth trajectory and brand strength.

The company’s ownership structure—two co-owners with equal stakes—means that the implied value of each owner’s equity is tied directly to this overall net-worth estimate.

Strategic Implications

The combination of $90 million in revenue and a net worth above $300 million illustrates a successful turnaround for a legacy media brand in the digital era. Newsweek’s shift from legacy print into digital, licensing and business-to-business services positions it for further growth. Equity value is supported not just by advertising but by expanding global editions, licensing deals and new verticals that are less dependent on volatile ad markets.

For the co-owners, this valuation enables strategic decisions around reinvestment, acquisitions and growth. For example, the company has acquired an ad-tech firm specializing in healthcare marketing to broaden its revenue base beyond traditional digital advertising. In the context of media companies facing pressure from AI disruption and declining print consumption, Newsweek’s improved financials and valuation reflect strong positioning for continued expansion in the coming years.

10-Year Revenue & Net Worth History (2016–2025)

• 2016: Beginning of the Digital Decline
  In 2016, Newsweek generated around $20 million as it endured the decline of the traditional print-magazine model. With shrinking circulation and limited digital capacity, its estimated net worth hovered around $40 million. This year marked the early stage of a long rebuilding process.
• 2017: Early Signs of Stabilization
  Revenue increased slightly to approximately $22 million as restructuring began to take effect. Although modest, this growth improved investor sentiment, lifting Newsweek’s valuation to roughly $45 million.
• 2018: Transition and Restructuring Year
  Revenue dipped to around $20 million as the company underwent major internal realignment and prepared for its eventual spin-off. Despite the decline in revenue, its valuation rose to about $50 million due to its improving strategic position.
• 2019: Digital Rebound Begins
  Newsweek’s revenue recovered to around $30 million as digital operations strengthened and online readership increased. This revival pushed its estimated valuation to nearly $80 million.
• 2020: Pandemic-Driven Growth
  The global shift toward digital news consumption boosted revenue to about $35 million. With rising engagement and expanding digital influence, Newsweek’s valuation grew to around $100 million.
• 2021: Strengthened Digital Position
  Revenue reached approximately $45 million as digital initiatives matured. Enhanced editorial strategy and a growing global audience lifted the company’s value to roughly $140 million.
• 2022: Profitability Achieved
  Revenue climbed to nearly $60 million, and Newsweek reached profitable operations for the first time in its modern era. With solid margins and rising international reach, its estimated valuation increased to about $180 million.
• 2023: Global Expansion Accelerates
  Revenue expanded to around $75 million, supported by growth in licensing, digital verticals, and global editions. This momentum pushed the company’s valuation to nearly $230 million.
• 2024: Major Valuation Breakthrough
  With revenue at approximately $90 million and consistent profitability, Newsweek surpassed a valuation of $300 million. This was its strongest year since becoming a digital-first brand.
• 2025: Stabilization at High Performance
  Revenue remained steady at around $90–100 million. Strong digital presence, diversified income streams, and stable profitability increased Newsweek’s valuation to an estimated $320–350 million.

Brands Owned by Newsweek

Newsweek operates a diverse portfolio of media, digital, and business-focused entities that extend far beyond its flagship magazine. As of November 2025, it manages multiple brands, divisions, and platforms that support its global reach, digital transformation, and commercial growth.

The following sections explain each company, brand, and operational entity owned and operated directly by Newsweek:

Newsweek Magazine

Newsweek Magazine remains the company’s core brand and primary product. It operates as a globally recognized news publication delivering reporting, analysis, commentary, and special editions. Although Newsweek is now a digital-first publication, the print edition continues to operate selectively in certain markets and for special issues. The magazine’s content coverage spans politics, world news, culture, business, science, and lifestyle. As the flagship brand, it drives the majority of readership and brand recognition.

Newsweek Digital

Newsweek Digital is the company’s leading platform and the largest revenue generator as of 2025. It includes the main Newsweek.com website and all digital extensions. This division covers online publishing, digital advertising, SEO-driven news content, video publishing, and long-form features. The digital platform reaches tens of millions of monthly users globally. Newsweek Digital also integrates newsletters, app-based reading, and international traffic streams, making it the centerpiece of the company’s modern media strategy.

Newsweek Global Editions

Newsweek operates licensed and localized editions across multiple regions. These international editions follow the core brand identity but tailor content to country-specific audiences. Newsweek Global Editions help expand the brand’s presence across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. While editorial independence may vary, the brand, licensing agreements, and operational frameworks remain under Newsweek’s umbrella. These editions contribute to Newsweek’s global influence and diversified revenue.

Newsweek Rankings

Newsweek Rankings is one of the company’s fastest-growing business-to-business verticals. It produces globally recognized rankings such as “World’s Best Hospitals,” “Best Customer Service,” “Most Trustworthy Companies,” “Best Colleges,” and more. These rankings rely on data analysis, surveys, and partnerships with analytics firms. They generate revenue through licensing, data packages, brand partnerships, and syndication. Rankings have become a cornerstone of Newsweek’s business model and a major driver of brand credibility.

Newsweek Events

Newsweek Events hosts conferences, live gatherings, virtual summits, and topic-specific forums. These events cover global leadership, healthcare, innovation, climate, policy, AI, and industry-specific themes. Newsweek Events strengthens the brand’s presence in executive and professional communities. Events generate revenue through sponsorships, ticketing, partnerships, and branded opportunities. This division positions Newsweek as not only a media outlet but also a thought-leadership platform.

Newsweek Studios

Newsweek Studios develops multimedia content, including documentary-style features, social-video series, interview programs, and branded video content. It supports both editorial and commercial video production. This entity is key to expanding Newsweek’s presence on video platforms, social media channels, and streaming partners. As video consumption increases globally, Newsweek Studios helps the brand remain competitive in non-text formats.

Newsweek Licensing

Newsweek Licensing manages all global brand licensing agreements for localized editions, print reproductions, awards, seals, and branded partnerships. This division ensures compliance with brand standards and generates revenue through licensing fees and distribution agreements. It plays a central role in expanding Newsweek’s influence internationally and regulating how the brand is used by partner organizations.

Newsweek Creative

Newsweek Creative is the in-house commercial content studio responsible for branded articles, native advertising, custom publishing, and content marketing campaigns for clients. It offers creative direction, editorial-quality writing, multimedia assets, and strategic storytelling for brands. This division blends advertising revenue with content production, supporting corporate clients while maintaining quality aligned with Newsweek’s style.

Newsweek Business & B2B Solutions

This division includes all business-to-business offerings such as industry insights, sponsored reports, white papers, research collaborations, and enterprise services. It caters to sectors like healthcare, technology, finance, education, and public policy. These B2B revenue streams help Newsweek diversify away from reliance on open-web advertising and establish itself as a data and insights provider.

Newsweek Archive

The Newsweek Archive maintains decades of historical content, photographs, reports, and print back issues. This archival content is a valuable asset used for research, licensing, documentaries, and publications. As Newsweek continues digitizing its archives, the archive functions as both a historical record and a revenue-generating intellectual-property asset.

Newsweek Newsletter Network

Newsweek operates a growing portfolio of newsletters covering politics, world news, markets, lifestyle, health, technology, culture, and opinion-based commentary. These newsletters serve both editorial and commercial purposes. They help retain loyal readers, generate subscription interest, and create premium sponsorship opportunities for brands seeking targeted audiences.

Newsweek Social & Video Platforms

This operational entity manages Newsweek’s presence on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. It distributes clips, documentaries, news explainers, and interactive content. This division ensures brand consistency across platforms, strengthens social engagement, and expands audience reach.

Conclusion

Understanding who owns Newsweek reveals how the iconic magazine has transformed into a modern, privately held media company driven by strategic leadership and digital innovation. With equal ownership split between Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis, Newsweek operates under a focused, two-person structure that enables fast decision-making and long-term stability. Their combined efforts have strengthened the brand’s global presence, expanded its digital reach, and positioned the company for continued growth in 2025 and beyond.

FAQs

Who owns Newsweek Media Group?

Newsweek Media Group no longer exists in its previous form. It was an earlier corporate entity connected to the brand during the IBT Media era. Today, the operations formerly under Newsweek Media Group are no longer active, and Newsweek is not owned by that group anymore.

Who owns Newsweek Publishing LLC?

Newsweek Publishing LLC is co-owned equally by Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis, each holding a 50% stake. This is the current ownership structure as of 2025.

Who is Newsweek affiliated with?

Newsweek is an independent, privately held media company and is not formally affiliated with any major media network, political organization, or corporate parent. It partners with various analytics firms, licensing partners, and global publishing teams for rankings and international editions, but it does not operate under any external media group.

What is Dev Pragad’s family background?

Dev Pragad was born in India and later became a British-American citizen. His family background is rooted in India, where he spent his early years before moving abroad for education and professional development. Details about his parents and extended family are not publicly disclosed.

Is Newsweek owned by the Washington Post?

No. Newsweek is not owned by The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company (now Graham Holdings) owned Newsweek from 1961 to 2010, but it has no ownership stake today.

Who is the parent company of Newsweek magazine?

Newsweek does not have a parent company in 2025. It operates as an independent entity under Newsweek Publishing LLC, which is jointly owned by Dev Pragad and Johnathan Davis.

Is Dev Pragad Indian?

Yes. Dev Pragad was born in India. He later moved abroad, pursued higher education in the UK, and eventually became a British-American media executive.

Who is the founder of Newsweek?

Newsweek was founded in 1933 by Thomas J.C. Martyn, a former foreign editor at Time magazine, with financial backing from prominent American investors.

Is Newsweek liberal or conservative?

Newsweek positions itself as a centrist, nonpartisan publication. It features a mix of voices across the political spectrum and describes its editorial mission as balanced, fact-based, and not aligned with any specific political ideology.