Newsday revolutionizes mobile media with a vertical video format on its app, offering an optimized, mobile-first viewing experience to meet evolving user habits.
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| The new vertical video format in Newsday’s mobile app offers a fresh and engaging user experience, aligned with current mobile video consumption trends like TikTok and Reels. Image: NMG |
MELVILLE, N.Y., August 12, 2025:
Newsday Media Group is setting a bold new standard for mobile media consumption with the unveiling of its enhanced mobile app, now featuring predominantly vertical video content. As the first local media outlet to prioritize vertical video, Newsday’s app has been redesigned to deliver an immersive, mobile-native viewing experience that aligns with the growing preference for vertical content.
The change reflects a significant shift in how people consume video on mobile devices. Research has shown that most users prefer to keep their phones upright while watching videos, and vertical content yields higher engagement and completion rates than traditional horizontal videos. This strategic pivot enables Newsday to meet its mobile-first audience where they are, offering a smoother, more intuitive experience that mirrors the formats on popular social platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
"We’ve seen a shift in how users engage with digital content, and by embracing a vertical format, we’re providing the experience they expect," said Debby Krenek, Publisher of Newsday. "Our goal is to ensure that we’re not just adapting to trends but leading them by providing the most accessible and engaging news content on mobile devices."
Newsday’s app update includes a variety of videos, from exclusive clips sourced from NewsdayTV to highly shareable social media cuts based on Newsday’s digital content. The app’s 9:16 video format is designed to seamlessly integrate across social media platforms, making it easier for users to share and interact with the content in real-time.
This vertical video initiative builds on the success of NewsdayTV, launched in 2023, which brought local news content to streaming platforms. Now, Newsday’s mobile-first approach brings this content directly to users' smartphones in a format designed for how they consume news on the go.
With a focus on the user experience, the app's navigation is optimized for swipe-up or swipe-down gestures, reflecting the dynamics of mobile social media interactions. The move is a natural progression in Newsday’s ongoing effort to embrace new digital formats and engage a younger, more tech-savvy audience that demands content that’s both portable and easy to consume.
Newsday’s new vertical video format is now available on both iOS and Android, offering an innovative way for users to access local news while staying in line with global mobile video trends. By doing so, Newsday has positioned itself at the forefront of a new era in digital media—where mobile-first content reigns supreme.