The beehiiv Media Collective is a cohort of 20+ renowned and emerging independent journalists and outlets.
Each one is building their own media company, backed by free health insurance, legal coverage, Getty Images, premium software, and VIP support.
We launched the beehiiv Media Collective in early 2025 with a simple premise: what happens when you give journalists the tools, autonomy, and backing to build on their terms?
Seven months in, the results are clear: rapid growth, real revenue, and newsroom-quality reporting, at startup speed.
We caught up with some of the Media Collective's biggest success stories for an update, let's dive in.
How Journalists Are Winning on beehiiv
The beehiiv Media Collective was designed to get creators strong results, faster. And seven months in, it’s delivering.
From launching side projects to expanding newsrooms to turning readers into paying subscribers, Media Collective members are taking full advantage of this one-of-a-kind program.
Here’s what winning looks like:
90,000+ subscribers
$14.95/month premium tier
Seven-figure annual recurring revenue
Staff hired, now a fully reader-funded newsroom
“Status is on track to surpass seven figures in annual recurring revenue this year, and beehiiv’s tools have made scaling to that milestone possible.”
Independent, deeply reported national security journalism
Premium content and sponsorships launched within months
Direct-to-reader trust at scale
“beehiiv’s creative team helped me reach a 60% open rate with the newsletter in less than a year, which is a phenomenal foundation to build on. The beehiiv team has the toolbox for journalists to thrive in the marketplace.”
400+ paying subscribers at $9/month
Thousands of free readers
Legal support and operational stability from day one
“Since joining the Collective, our subscriber numbers have increased and perhaps importantly, without the percentage kickback of Substack, we've finally turned the corner into being a news organization that is sustainable in the long term."
279.6% growth in paid subscribers from Q1 to Q2
Scoops behind a paywall are driving paid conversions
Running lean, reporting hard, with full backend support
“The growth Breaker has seen from Q1 to Q2 has been incredible. beehiiv has been phenomenal in helping us get off the ground. Without it, we’d have needed outside investment. I can concentrate on the scoops, reporting and writing that Breaker has become well known for.”
Gained 12,000+ subscribers in just six months with over 70% open rates
Secured 30+ press features including POLITICO, The Atlantic, CNN, FOX News, and The Guardian
Sold out ad inventory for the year within the first six months
“Being a part of beehiiv’s media collective has helped me launch my newsletter on really solid footing. In just six months, I've blown past 12,000 subscribers while maintaining an over 70% open rate. The product customization is way better than any of the company’s rivals."
2x paid subs on beehiiv
Seamless paywall setup
Smooth legal review experience
“beehiiv’s advanced platform and Media Collective support were critical to launching Indicator. We imported posts and subscribers, designed a new website, and signed up paid members faster than expected. beehiiv’s automations help retain subscribers and collect feedback to guide editorial operations.” — Craig Silverman, Cofounder of Indicator Media
100,000+ subscribers
Launched a spin-off podcast Panic World
Now a full-fledged media business with two full-time staff
“Garbage Day had one of its biggest years ever. Our audience nearly doubled, revenue hit a point where I hired a managing editor and a researcher, from a one-person newsletter to a real media company. beehiiv was instrumental in that growth. In today’s media climate, having the right tools to keep growing is a true blessing.”
These journalists are proof that with the right infrastructure, independent journalism doesn't just survive; it scales.
What the beehiiv Media Collective Really Is
The beehiiv Media Collective is a launchpad for independent media. We built it to give top journalists everything they need to own their audience, content, and business.
What Makes It Different
Keep your internet protocol (IP), your readers, and your revenue
Editorial consulting, legal protection, health stipends, and growth capital
A cohort of 20+ creators building in public, together
What’s Included
Strategic Support: Dedicated success managers, 1:1 launch help, peer sessions, and an advisory board
Growth Engine: $5,000 in Boost credits, priority recommendations, platform features
Monetization: Concierge access to beehiiv’s Ad Network, sponsorship matchmaking, paid subscriptions
Legal and Health: Errors and omissions (E&O) liability insurance, pre-publication legal review, health stipends
Tools: Getty Images, Perplexity Pro, Doola, website builder, segmentation, analytics
Community: Monthly meetups, private Slack, AMAs, and real-time collabs
Since Launching in January 2025, We’ve Rapidly Evolved
Brought on Ryan Gilbert as a dedicated Media Collective manager
Created an advisory board of experienced operators
Launched member peer sessions for growth tactics and cross-promotion
Built editorial and legal partnerships to reduce operational friction
The Platform Behind the Movement
beehiiv isn’t just providing a program. It’s building the platform these creators grow on, and the tech is moving fast:
Website Builder: Launch a full media site, no code required
Recommendations Network: Curate cross-promos that match reader interest
Paid Subscriptions: Keep 100% of your revenue
Boosts Marketplace: Run high-return on investment (ROI) swaps to scale subscribers fast
Ad Network Upgrades: Access premium Cost Per Mille (CPM) deals and smart placement tech
AI Labs: podcasts, assistant, content studio, and more coming soon
“Being accepted into beehiiv’s Media Collective was the best thing that could’ve happened after getting laid off. From legal review to tech help to a health insurance stipend, the support has been indispensable. I wouldn’t be able to go independent without it. In under six months, subscriptions now cover my rent.”
A Look at What’s Unfolding
The beehiiv Media Collective is proof that writers are stepping out of legacy systems and building on their own terms.
Teams are growing, sponsors are coming in, and each creator is building something different.
Writers own the relationship, call the shots, and are not waiting for permission anymore.
beehiiv’s role in this isn’t front and center but foundational, supporting what needs to happen in the background, so the journalism can stay in the foreground.
What comes next for media won’t be shaped by platforms or dictated by algorithms. It’ll be led by people with something to say and the infrastructure to build around it.
