New York Post Takes Over LA: Launching ‘The California Post’ in 2026

In a striking expansion move, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp is bringing the brash tone of the New York Post to the West Coast, with the launch of a new daily tabloid: The California Post. Scheduled to hit newsstands and digital platforms in early 2026, the new venture will be headquartered in Los Angeles and aims to shake up California’s media landscape with sharp headlines, celebrity buzz, hard-hitting commentary, and unapologetic local coverage.

Behind the scenes, the project will be led by Nick Papps, former editor of Australia’s Sunday Telegraph, with oversight from New York Post editor-in-chief Keith Poole. The Post Media Group, which includes the New York Post and Page Six, is hoping to tap into a perceived gap in the California market - a state with plenty of media, but none quite like the Post.

News Corp CEO Robert Thomson said the new paper is intended as “an antidote to the jaundiced, jaded journalism” currently dominating the West Coast. “California deserves an energetic, populist voice - The California Post will provide it,” he added.

The launch is strategically timed to align with major events on the horizon in the Golden State, including the 2026 gubernatorial election, the 2026 FIFA World Cup (with games in LA), and the 2028 Olympics.

The California Post will debut as a physical print paper in Los Angeles and also feature a robust digital presence - including video, social media, and podcasts. The editorial tone promises to mirror that of its New York sibling: edgy, populist, sometimes controversial, and deeply immersed in local culture and politics.

At a time when many newspapers are shrinking or shutting down, this high-profile expansion marks a rare moment of ambition and growth in print media. Whether Angelenos embrace the tabloid style remains to be seen - but one thing is clear: the battle for California’s newsstands is about to heat up.