Deník N

Deník N is an independent Czech daily newspaper and online news platform that emerged in 2018, modeled after its successful Slovak predecessor, Denník N. The launch was catalyzed by a record-breaking crowdfunding campaign that raised over 7 million CZK from more than 5,400 subscribers, signaling a strong public demand for independent journalism. The paper was founded in response to the growing influence of oligarchs in the Czech and Slovak media landscapes. The publication is operated by N Media a.s., with ownership divided between the Slovak Denník N (33.3%) and the Czech foundation Nadace Independent Press (66.7%).

The company is led by director Ján Simkanič, a journalist and publicist with a background in economics and a long history in digital media, including his previous role as executive director at Internet Info. Deník N's business model is primarily centered on reader revenue, with subscriptions accounting for the vast majority of its income. This strategy allows the publication to maintain its editorial independence. The outlet offers a freemium model; short breaking news stories, such as those in its "Minuta N" section, are free to access, which helps drive traffic, while in-depth analyses, investigative reports, and long-form articles are behind a paywall for its subscriber base. By 2023, four years after its launch, the outlet had secured 27,000 paying subscribers.

Deník N provides content across digital and print formats, publishing a weekday print edition and maintaining a robust online presence through its website and mobile app. The content portfolio is diverse, covering politics, business, culture, science, and society, with a focus on high-quality, long-form journalism, analytical pieces, and investigative reporting. In addition to written articles, the company produces nine newsletters, podcasts like "Studio N" which have video versions, and has ventured into book publishing. The organization has also developed its own open-source subscription management and monetization software, REMP, which is used by other publishers.

Keywords: Czech media, independent journalism, subscription model, online news, print newspaper, investigative reporting, political news, long-form journalism, crowdfunding, media ownership, N Media, Ján Simkanič, Prague, freemium model, reader revenue, media analysis, Czech news outlet, Central European media, digital subscription, news analysis