Samsung is betting big on short-form video news content with a major overhaul of its Samsung News app. The company announced expanded partnerships with premium publishers and a new video-first experience that brings together content from ABC News, PEOPLE, Entertainment Weekly, USA TODAY, and other major outlets.
The update reflects Samsung’s push to make its Galaxy ecosystem stickier by offering compelling first-party services. Rather than relying solely on Google’s news products or third-party apps, Samsung wants to give users a reason to stay within its own software environment.
The centerpiece of the update is a new short-form video carousel that delivers daily curated clips across news, finance, sports, lifestyle and entertainment categories. Samsung’s in-house editorial team selects content to surface the most important stories of the day. Users can like videos, follow specific topics, and get personalized recommendations based on their interests.
“Galaxy users consume news in different ways, whether it’s through quick video updates or in-depth reporting,” said Maya Harris, VP & Head of Strategic Partnerships for Samsung’s TV & Mobile Services. “We’re continuing to evolve Samsung News to meet those needs, with more formats, more trusted sources and a personalized experience that puts the day’s most important stories front and center.”
The video content comes from a impressive roster of publishers:
- ABC News for breaking news and current events
- PEOPLE for entertainment and celebrity coverage
- USA TODAY for general news
- Entertainment Weekly for pop culture content
- Lifestyle brands including Allrecipes, EatingWell, Food & Wine, Byrdie, and Travel + Leisure
Samsung also expanded its text-based news offerings with curated articles from these same publishers, plus the Washington Post and sports and finance updates powered by Yahoo Media Group. This gives Galaxy users access to both quick video updates and longer-form journalism in one app.
The move comes as tech companies increasingly compete to become users’ primary news destination. Apple has Apple News+, Google has Google News, and now Samsung is making a serious play with premium content partnerships. The focus on video aligns with broader media consumption trends, especially among younger users who prefer visual content over traditional articles.
Samsung News is now available on Galaxy smartphones and tablets from 2023 onward in the U.S. and Canada. The company plans to expand to additional markets and languages in the coming months. The service is free and comes pre-installed on supported Galaxy devices.
For Samsung, the enhanced news service represents another way to differentiate its Android phones from competitors and reduce reliance on Google services. By offering compelling first-party alternatives to Google News and YouTube, Samsung can keep users engaged within its own ecosystem while potentially collecting valuable data about news consumption habits.