News24

News24.com is an English-language South African online news publication created in October 1998 by the multinational media company, Naspers. Also known as South Africa’s largest digital publisher, News24 covers local and international news, politics, business, entertainment, technology, sport, and much more.

According to Arrie Rossouw, the site's first business manager, News24 became the biggest online news site in South Africa within one year from its launch.[1] By 2010, more than two million South Africans a month visited the site to get their daily news fix.[2] In February 2014, this number went over the three million threshold for the first time, via satellite television provider DStv, mobile and a suite of freely available apps across multiple devices.om

News24 was launched in October 1998 as part of Naspers’ new internet strategy. Naspers’ new managing director at the time, Koos Bekker, wanted to expand the company’s online portfolio by offering News24 users breaking news around the clock.⁴

Rossouw was appointed News24’s first publisher. News24 focused on offering its users breaking local news, while relying on wire copy to keep them informed of international news. Within its first year, News24 became the biggest news website in South Africa.1

Initially based in Johannesburg, News24 relocated to Cape Town in 2001 to form part of the newly created Media24 Digital division under the leadership of Russell Hanly. The move was brought on by the restructuring of Media24’s digital operations. Soon the need to restructure arose, and News24’s employees were cut from 30 to 18, with Douw Steyn as business manager and Cobus Heyl as editor. During this time, Independent Newspaper’s IOL overtook News24 as South Africa’s number one news website.

However, according to Heyl, “this deficit was made up in the first two months of operation in Cape Town through renewed focus on breaking news. While we publish in text and pictures, News24 should have more uninterrupted broadcast news than daily newspaper news.” Most of News24’s content (70%) came from the wires or translated newspaper articles (20%), yet steps were taken to produce more original content.3

Two events in 2001 significantly increased News24’s popularity amongst internet users. The first Big Brother South Africa reality television show and the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City boosted News24’s momentum beyond expectation.3

...
Wikipedia