The Rise of Niche Journalism and the Allure of True Crime

Mediahuis’s decision isn’t occurring in a vacuum. Across the industry, publishers are recognizing the potential of specialized content to attract and retain paying subscribers. General news consumption, often reliant on advertising revenue, is facing headwinds. The strategy is clear: build a loyal following around a specific interest, and monetize that passion through premium offerings.

True crime, in particular, has emerged as a remarkably successful niche. It consistently ranks among the most popular podcast genres, trailing only comedy and entertainment in the US, and closely behind sports in the UK, according to Pew Research Center. This enduring fascination is driving a surge in demand for high-quality, investigative crime reporting.

Crime World’s launch builds on the success of the Crime World podcast, hosted by award-winning journalist Nicola Tallant. The podcast has amassed a staggering listenership, exceeding 1 million monthly listeners and reaching 36 million in 2025 alone. This proven audience provided a strong foundation for expanding into a dedicated website and app, offering exclusive content for €11.99 a month or €99 annually.

“We have been looking at what our audience really wants from us and what unique journalism we can offer them. In Mediahuis, we call that signature journalism,” explains Cormac Bourke, editor in chief at Mediahuis Ireland. “We had to consider what the signature journalism of the Sunday World is. Its success in audio made a clear case for in-depth digital crime journalism.”

The move reflects a broader trend. Hearst Networks launched Crime+Investigation Play, a direct-to-consumer streaming service, several years ago. More recently, both USA TODAY and The Daily Mail have launched their own true crime hubs, WITNESS and Crime Desk, respectively. These initiatives demonstrate the growing recognition of true crime as a viable and lucrative niche.

However, success isn’t guaranteed. Producing high-quality audio and video content requires significant investment in resources and talent. As one UK-based publisher cautioned, “It is very hard to do audio and video of a decent quality… It can’t just be seen as an add-on that the newsroom can just spin up and maintain.” The key, it seems, is to focus on quality and build a sustainable, long-term strategy.

Mediahuis isn’t limiting its expansion to crime. The company has also launched two new podcasts in 2025: Just Between Us, hosted by Jennifer Zamparelli, focusing on sex and relationships, and Money Talks, complementing the Indo Money vertical on the Irish Independent site. This diversification strategy suggests a broader commitment to digital brand extensions.

Early results for Crime World are promising, with subscriber numbers exceeding expectations. The exclusive podcast series on Christy Kinahan, alleged leader of Ireland’s Kinahan Cartel, has been a major draw, demonstrating a willingness among audiences to pay for exclusive audio content. This success validates the potential of a subscription-based model for in-depth crime reporting.

But can true crime consistently deliver sustainable revenue? The answer likely lies in a long-term commitment to quality journalism and a deep understanding of audience needs. As one source put it, “Will we go back to video? Never say never – especially with the advances in AI.”

Do you think the true crime genre is reaching saturation point, or is there still room for growth and innovation?

What role will artificial intelligence play in the future of true crime content creation and consumption?

Frequently Asked Questions About True Crime Subscriptions