Warren Buffett has purchased shares in The New York Times six years after claiming the newspaper market was over, marking a significant shift in investment strategy for Berkshire Hathaway.
In a surprising turn of events, billionaire investor Warren Buffett recently acquired shares in The New York Times, despite his previous statements in 2016 about the decline of the newspaper industry. This investment is included in a report by Berkshire Hathaway, which was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. At the end of 2025, Berkshire held approximately $351.6 million in New York Times shares, indicating a renewed interest in the print media sector, contrary to Buffett's past sentiments.
This move reflects a significant strategy change at Berkshire Hathaway, especially considering the company's previous decision to divest from its journalism operations in 2020 for $140 million. Prior to this latest investment, Buffett had not included any shares of The New York Times or other newspapers in the company's portfolio as of the third quarter of 2022. The current investment, although a small fraction of Berkshire's overall $274 billion in equity holdings, speaks to a potential revival in newspaper interest amidst ongoing changes in the media landscape.
Buffett's actions may suggest a belief in the future prospects of The New York Times, which operates within a broader media context that is still evolving. As he approaches retirement, this acquisition could be seen as a last pivot that may redefine how Berkshire Hathaway approaches investments in traditional media. It opens up discussions on the resilience of newspapers and their ability to adapt in the digital age, highlighting Buffett's complex relationship with the media sector over the years.
