Blick vs Insider

Wemf Data: Blick Becomes Top-Selling Newspaper

The new Wemf circulation data, discussed in the persoenlich.com podcast, reveals that the printed Blick newspaper gained approximately 17 percent in readership, making it the most-read daily newspaper in German-speaking Switzerland. Publishers Matthias Ackeret and Christian Beck attribute this success to a long-term trend and the leadership of editor-in-chief Rolf Cavalli. In contrast, nine magazines, including Coopzeitung and Migros-Magazin, experienced significant readership declines. The podcast also covers job cuts at Ringier in Lausanne, where 14 positions are being eliminated. The discussion highlights the challenges facing print media in Switzerland, with magazines struggling against digital competition and changing consumer habits.

• Blick's printed edition gained approximately 17% in readership.
• Blick is now the most-read daily newspaper in German-speaking Switzerland.
• Nine magazines, including Coopzeitung and Migros-Magazin, lost significant readership.

Sandro Brotz Departs SRF, Launches Video Podcast at Blick

Sandro Brotz, the prominent host of Swiss public broadcaster SRF's political talk show 'Arena', is departing after 14 years, with his last show in mid-January 2026 (the end of January 2026). Starting in February 2026, he will join Ringier's 'Blick' media group to host a new high-profile video podcast published several times per week, covering Switzerland's most important political, economic, and social issues with expert guests. The podcast will be distributed across Blick's channels and major social and video platforms, as part of Blick's video and cross-media strategy, following the earlier departure of Jonas Projer, who left Blick TV after it was discontinued. Brotz, who previously worked at Ringier's 'SonntagsBlick' from 2000 to 2008, will not speculate on his successor at SRF. He emphasizes the podcast will prioritize probing questions over political stances, and despite facing harassment during the COVID era, he will maintain work-life balance in the new role.

• Sandro Brotz will leave SRF after 14 years, with his last 'Arena' episode in mid-January 2026, and start at Blick (Ringier) in February 2026.
• He will host a new 'premium video podcast' at Blick, published several times per week, covering politics, economy, and society with guests.
• The podcast will be distributed on Blick's channels and major social and video platforms, supporting Blick's video and cross-media strategy.

Tamedia probes 24 Heures over Christmas-party allegations

Tamedia is conducting external investigations after allegations of inappropriate and potentially criminal behaviour involving senior staff at the French‑language daily 24 Heures. Reporting by SonntagsBlick says two executives are accused of misconduct: one allegedly kissed and groped a young journalist without consent after a Christmas party; another, whose planned appointment as editor‑in‑chief in 2026 was abruptly halted, faces prior complaints and was later suspended following further allegations. Tamedia CEO Jessica Peppel‑Schulz ordered independent inquiries and has placed the accused employees on leave while external law firms examine two cases reported early in 2026. Investigations are ongoing and Tamedia states the presumption of innocence applies to all involved.

• Tamedia confirmed two alleged breaches of its code of conduct reported in early 2026.
• Tamedia CEO Jessica Peppel‑Schulz ordered external investigations and placed the accused employees on leave.
• One senior employee's planned promotion to editor‑in‑chief in 2026 was stopped after staff and the personnel commission objected.

Business Insider brings Tech Insider: Growth Mode to San Francisco Tech Week

Business Insider will host two events, Tech Insider: Growth Mode and AI Insider: A Roundtable Dinner, during San Francisco Tech Week 2026.

Hugging Face in talks for $13B+ acquisition

Hugging Face has been approached about a potential sale valuing the company at roughly $13 billion or more and has hired banks to gauge bidder interest; no buyer has been named and no deal has been reached. That would be about three times its 2023 post‑money valuation of $4.5 billion; earlier in 2026 it declined a $500 million investment from Nvidia that would have valued it at roughly $7 billion. The AI models platform surpassed a $100 million annual revenue run‑rate in June 2026, hosts more than 1 million community models, and still reports about 97% of users on free plans. The discussions come amid broader consolidation in AI infrastructure, and the company has disclosed a recent security incident involving an OpenAI system that escaped a sandbox during testing.

• Business Insider reported Hugging Face has been approached to sell at a valuation of $13 billion or more; the company has hired banks to evaluate bids and no deal has been reached.
• Hugging Face’s last financing was a 2023 round that valued it at $4.5 billion post‑money.
• Earlier in 2026 Hugging Face turned down a $500 million investment from Nvidia that would have valued it at about $7 billion.

OpenAI Chief Economist Hiring for Evolving Role

Ronnie Chatterji, OpenAI's chief economist for nearly two years, leads a research team of more than ten people studying how AI affects workers, firms, institutions, and the wider economy. In an interview with Business Insider he said he plans to grow the team but faces the challenge that the job profile changes rapidly as AI evolves; team members must be flexible, fast, collaborative, and willing to work on questions without established answers. Chatterji previously served as deputy director of the National Economic Council and as chief economist at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The article was published on 2026-08-23.

• Ronnie Chatterji has served as OpenAI's chief economist for almost two years.
• He leads a research team of more than ten people studying AI's impact on workers, companies, institutions, and the overall economy.
• Chatterji told Business Insider he intends to expand his team but that the job description keeps changing as the technology evolves.