The National Wales news website set to close a year and a half after launch
The National Wales news website is set to close a year and a half after it launched, with the loss of two journalism posts.
The site was originally launched as a newspaper that shut after eight months to focus on its online offering.
However, the website has now confirmed that it too will be closing its doors after failing to expand its subscriber base.
The website was originally set up after a Patreon crowdfunder by digital marketer Huw Marshall under the title of ‘New Media Wales’. He subsequently partnered with Newsquest to launch the site.
Gavin Thompson, the managing editor of The National, said in a statement to WalesOnline that “Newsquest is consulting on the proposed closure of The National Wales”.
“Despite the best efforts and dedication of the team competition from free news outlets including BBC Wales online means The National Wales has not been able to grow its paying subscriber base to a sustainable level.
“A small number of roles are at risk as a result of this proposal and we are consulting with staff affected in an effort to minimise potential redundancies.”
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I genuinely had no idea it existed, and I follow the Scottish National website. I recall being aware of a one-off Welsh edition of the National that was printed to coincide with one round of Welsh independence marches. I don’t recall it being made clear at the time that there was actually an ongoing Welsh National news website.
Exactly the same, I didnt even know it existed, I would of subscribed to it too
Me neither. I used to buy the print copies – partly on principal, but partly because they were a good read. Dyma hen dro. Mae dirfawr angen gwasg gymreig ar Gymru.
Very sad indeed but predictable in the changing media platform world of Wales.
Never heard of it
I donated to the Patreon for New Media Wales several years back and was excited to have another Welsh news service. Especially for there to be a Welsh national newspaper. Unfortunately, I think the biggest wrong turn came right at the beginning of The National Wales – the partnering with Newsquest. It made the National Wales website horrific to use, and so I avoided it as much as possible. The paper was great, but unfortunately didn’t find its audience during the pandemic. Hopefully the writers will be able to go get into new jobs soon, but I also hope the… Read more »
I would have bought print copies when I felt I had the time to read them, but I never saw them on sale anywhere. I wouldn’t ever subscribe to a news web site though.
Understand the two journalists theyve been employing full time wont receive a penny in redundancy because theyve been there less than 2 years – which is frankly disgraceful. But i guess this news means we need Nation Cymru more than ever!
Very sad to hear The National Wales is ceasing. Wales desperately needs its own Welsh media rather than getting news from outside of Wales that report news largely from an English perspective.. No. doubt Unionist will be celebrating another Welsh voice snuffed out.
The trouble with BBC Wales is they focus on the violent crime and murder perpetrated mostly on women in South Wales…
That and exposing some of the ‘silly’ things that people get up to in South Wales…
The coverage of the Bodleian Library Gough map confirming the existence of Cantre’r Gwaelod made a good read though…
Shame it took so long to get picked up on here and as for the Prof’s tale of Bangor life, who knows!
The choice of red and black for the heading was a mistake, I said that from day one, made it look very right wing…
Tonight’s offering…Murders in Newport, Clydach, Pembroke…1 male 2 females
Not sure 🤔 who you might be getting at ? Can you expand please ….
Not fair, the culture page is full of good stuff, trouble is very few read it…
I assume you mean the furlough scheme that 66% of private employers thruout the UK accepted thru the pandemic?
Shame. I bought the paper edition from the start and then subscribed to the online edition.
I wonder if Huw’s twitter comments around the time of the fallings out in YesCymru had anything to do with it? Also the fact that a particular Lib Dem with a bilious attitude towards Plaid Cymru and YesCymru was given a platform by The National. Just the musings of this former Patreon donor and National subscriber.