New report shows how media apps are performing in 2026 and what the data means for publisher strategy

LONDON — As AI fundamentally changes how audiences discover content, publishers are looking for new ways to build direct, measurable relationships with readers. For many, apps are becoming the most reliable channel to make that possible. Today, Pugpig releases the 2026 Media App Report, its most data-rich edition yet. The report covers where engagement is growing, how audience habits are shifting and what it actually takes to build an app people come back to.

The report combines analytics from more than 440 apps across 140 publishers with survey responses from publishing professionals across the industry. Together they show a clear picture of what's working, what isn't and what the top-performing apps have in common.

Key takeaways from the report include:

• There's a huge gap between publishers in how many of their subscribers actually open the app. And in almost every case, a small number of super users account for most of the engagement overall.
• Publishers know which KPIs matter most, but many still can't measure them properly. Subscriber retention tops the priority list, yet most teams track it only on an ad-hoc basis.
• Apps that are actively invested in perform materially better. Across every metric, effort and resource are what separate the top performers from the rest.
• Certain features — games, audio, video, search, save and sharing — consistently drive higher engagement. Users who engage with these spend considerably longer in the app than those who don't.

For teams looking to act on the data, the report closes with practical guidance on where to focus next, including how to increase adoption, measure value more clearly and make apps work harder as engagement, retention and revenue channels.

The 2026 Pugpig Media App Report is available to download now at Pugpig.com.

About Pugpig:

Pugpig is the mobile app platform that powers apps for over 450 of the world’s leading media brands, from Newsweek and the Independent to Condé Nast and Hearst. Founded in 2011, Pugpig helps publishers create best-in-class apps that strengthen direct audience relationships, increase engagement and grow reader revenue. Learn more at www.pugpig.com.