Last week, The Economist announced The Economist Insider, a new premium video product that it says will provide front-row access to the spirited debates and candid conversations behind The Economist’s journalism.
According to the publisher, Insider will feature twice weekly shows hosted by The Economist's senior editors. Amid unprecedented international change, these long-form shows will give viewers direct access to the internal discussions and analysis that shape how The Economist makes sense of an increasingly complex and dangerous world. Episodes will also feature extended guest interviews with world leaders, thinkers and policymakers, debating their views with Economist journalists.
The Insider, a weekly show hosted every Thursday by editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes and deputy editor Edward Carr, will give subscribers to The Economist access to leading editors as they explore the news and trends shaping the world now — and what comes next, the publisher continued. In bonus episodes, The Economist says guests from a variety of political viewpoints and perspectives will be invited for extended conversations, including prominent voices who disagree with The Economist’s editorial positions.
Economist Insider will also feature four monthly shows led by editors explaining what’s happening and why it matters.
- Inside Defence: Defence editor Shashank Joshi will interview top global security experts, policymakers, military leaders and more. Joshi, one of the most trusted voices on global defence, will help viewers understand the forces shaping global safety and sovereignty.
- Inside Geopolitics: David Rennie, Geopolitics editor, will navigate the rapidly changing world with the politicians, diplomats and foreign-policy experts behind the decisions that impact international order. Rennie, a globally recognized expert on international affairs, is the author of The Economist’s Telegram column and co-hosts the Drum Tower podcast on China.
- Inside Economics: Top economics and finance editors Rachana Shanbhogue, Henry Curr and Mike Bird will dig into the trends transforming the world economy. The trio, each an authority on global economics, will provide the clarity needed to understand a complex financial landscape.
- Inside Tech: Deputy editor and editor of The World Ahead, Tom Standage and AI writer Alex Hern will explore the tech and AI revolution. Standage and Hern will break down what viewers need to know and how to get ahead in the fast-moving world of technology.
New episodes will stream on Tuesdays and Thursdays and then be made available on demand.
The Economist says subscribers will also have the opportunity to engage in substantive dialogue with Economist journalists, who typically report without bylines, through regular Insider Q&A shows, as well as a dedicated Insider newsletter, issued twice a week.
Zanny Minton Beddoes, editor-in-chief, The Economist, said: “With the launch of Insider we’re lifting the curtain on our journalists and the spirited and constructive debates we have around critical global issues. These conversations have been kept largely within our closed editorial meetings — now we are inviting our subscribers inside. In an era of ubiquitous artificial intelligence, this new product will showcase the decidedly human intelligence that makes The Economist unique. I’m also looking forward to inviting global leaders to challenge our point of view and discuss the big issues shaping a tumultuous world in the depth and rigour that they deserve, and is so often missing from public discourse.”
Luke Bradley-Jones, president, The Economist, said: “In an emerging AI ecology, we want to deepen the relationship between our subscribers and the extraordinary talent and knowledge within our editorial team. While we continue to leverage AI for all its benefits, we are excited to be producing these deliberately human, expert-led shows, where trusted voices will debate the most profound issues facing the world. This reflects our strategy to produce differentiated content that strengthens the bond between our audience and our brand.”
The publisher says Insider will be available free at launch for all subscribers to The Economist.
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