What Is the Best News Embargo in 2026?

What works in the digital news cycle and what time do UK newspapers actually publish stories online?

Ladies and gentlemen, we’re diving head first into 2026 and kicking things off with none other than the forbidden topic… embargoes.

I’m wading into dangerous territory here because everyone (and I mean absolutely everyone) has an opinion on them. What’s the best embargo? Should they exist at all? Can a single embargo ever work for print, broadcast and digital?

These questions matter more now than it did even a year ago. Newsrooms are thinner and digital publishing rhythms have shifted.

When I say an embargo “works”, I mean it does three things at once:

• Maximises digital pickup

• Keeps broadcasters onside

• Doesn’t alienate print readers

I love embargoes. I think they absolutely still have a place in the current media landscape. At their best, they give journalists time to properly interrogate a story, do interviews, take our own pictures and ask the questions that need to be asked without the fear of being beaten by a rival.

But lots of the embargoes in use today are designed for a media ecosystem that no longer exists.

If there’s one thing to take away from this edition of Off the Record, it’s this: the midnight embargo does not work in the digital age. It is dead. The 10.30pm one is on life support too.

For a long time last year, I argued the 8pm embargo was the sweet spot, capitalising on rising evening traffic while staying fresh for the 10pm bulletins. But it’s a new year and clearly I have new thoughts on the matter. The issue with my thinking in 2025 is that broadcasters don’t want “nearly fresh” content for early-morning programmes. They want new content. Paper readers also want new content. Is there a way to keep everyone happy?

So, what is the best embargo in 2026?