News Corp Enters Multi-Year AI Content Licensing Deal with Meta
News Corp has finalized an AI content licensing agreement with Meta, potentially worth up to $50 million annually. This deal, set to span a minimum of three years, permits Meta to utilize copyrighted materials from News Corp’s media outlets in the U.S. and U.K.
This arrangement highlights the growing importance tech companies place on news content as they compete to develop advanced artificial intelligence tools.
In addition, Meta has been working on similar licensing arrangements with other publishers, including notable names like People Inc., USA Today, CNN, and Fox News. However, specific details on those terms remain undisclosed.
A spokesperson from Meta confirmed the partnership with News Corp but stated that no further information would be provided at this time.
During a recent presentation at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecoms Conference, News Corp CEO Robert Thomson suggested that more agreements may be on the horizon. He mentioned that, while one transaction is already quite public, others are currently in advanced negotiations.
Thomson remarked, “We don’t have to wait too long for more news.”
Meta has also expressed its commitment to enhancing real-time content offerings through its AI, covering areas from breaking global news to lifestyle articles. A blog post released in December emphasized this focus, noting that users could expect more timely and relevant information based on their interests when querying Meta AI about news topics.
News Corp had previously struck a licensing deal with OpenAI in 2024, projected to surpass $250 million over five years.
As the dynamics between news organizations and AI companies evolve, some publishers are forming partnerships to be compensated for their content while also taking legal action against other firms for copyright violations. For instance, two of News Corp’s subsidiaries, including The Journal’s parent company Dow Jones and The Post, have sued AI startup Perplexity for copyright infringement.
Other major publishers, like The New York Times, are navigating similar waters, having initiated lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright issues, while also securing an AI licensing deal with Amazon valued between $20 million and $25 million annually last year.
