What Happened to The Atlantic?
The Atlantic, a venerable American magazine founded in 1857, has successfully navigated the challenges of the digital age by pivoting to a subscription-first business model. Under the ownership of Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective since 2017 and the leadership of CEO Nicholas Thompson and Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, it achieved profitability in early 2024 and has grown its subscriber base to nearly 1.5 million by early 2026, focusing on high-quality, in-depth journalism.
Quick Answer
The Atlantic, a long-standing American magazine, is currently thriving as a profitable, subscription-driven media organization. Owned by Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective since 2017, it has successfully transitioned to a digital-first strategy emphasizing high-quality, in-depth journalism. As of early 2026, The Atlantic boasts nearly 1.5 million paying subscribers and continues to expand its editorial staff and offerings, including a new 'Premium Plus' subscription tier launched in January 2026.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
The Atlantic Monthly Founded
The Atlantic Monthly was founded in Boston by a group of writers including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, establishing itself as a leading literary and cultural magazine.
Acquired by David G. Bradley
Mortimer Zuckerman sold The Atlantic Monthly to David G. Bradley, owner of the National Journal Group. Bradley invested heavily and began a period of significant transformation for the publication.
Renamed The Atlantic
The magazine officially dropped 'Monthly' from its cover, becoming 'The Atlantic' to reflect its broader scope beyond a monthly literary focus. The corporate name change followed in 2007.
Offices Relocated to Washington, D.C.
The Atlantic moved its editorial offices from Boston to Washington, D.C., a move that underscored its increasing emphasis on political coverage and current affairs.
Jeffrey Goldberg Appointed Editor-in-Chief
Jeffrey Goldberg, a prominent journalist, was named Editor-in-Chief, signaling a continued focus on impactful journalism and political analysis.
Emerson Collective Acquires Majority Stake
Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective acquired a 70% majority stake in The Atlantic, providing substantial investment and strategic direction for its future. Full ownership was anticipated within a few years.
Launched Digital Subscriptions
The Atlantic introduced its digital subscription model, a crucial step in its pivot towards a reader-supported revenue strategy.
Nicholas Thompson Named CEO
Former Wired editor-in-chief Nicholas Thompson was appointed CEO, tasked with leading the publication's business turnaround and accelerating its digital growth.
Achieves Profitability and 1 Million Subscribers
The Atlantic announced it had become profitable and surpassed 1 million paying subscribers, marking a significant turnaround in its financial health and business model.
Resumes Monthly Print Issues
Following its digital success, The Atlantic announced and then resumed publishing monthly print issues, increasing its frequency from 10 to 12 issues per year.
Signalgate Controversy
Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg reported on a sensitive government Signal group chat he was accidentally added to, detailing discussions about military actions in Yemen. This reporting generated significant attention and subscriber growth.
Expanded Editorial Team
The Atlantic added 50 journalists to its newsroom, bringing its total editorial staff to over 200, expanding coverage in areas like national security, politics, and technology.
Launches Premium Plus Subscription Tier
The Atlantic soft-launched 'Premium Plus,' a new friends and family subscription plan, representing its first new paywall tier since 2019 to further engage and grow its subscriber base.
Approaches 1.5 Million Subscribers
The Atlantic reached almost 1.5 million paying subscribers, demonstrating continued strong growth in its subscription-first model.
Continued Focus on Quality Journalism
As of late 2026, The Atlantic continues to emphasize its commitment to in-depth, high-quality journalism, with its August 2026 issue featuring a cover story on declining US literacy, maintaining its role in national discourse.
Follow this story
Get an email when this timeline gets a major update.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Founded in 1857, The Atlantic has a rich history as a journal of news, literature, and opinion, known for its intellectual discourse and influential articles. After decades of varying ownership, David G. Bradley acquired the magazine in 1999, investing significantly and overseeing its move from Boston to Washington, D.C., in 2006, reflecting an increased focus on politics.
A pivotal moment arrived in July 2017 when Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective acquired a 70 percent majority stake, with the expectation of full ownership within three to five years, which was realized by approximately 2022. This acquisition provided the financial backing necessary for a strategic transformation. Under the leadership of CEO Nicholas Thompson, appointed in December 2020, and Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic embarked on a significant pivot away from a traffic-driven digital strategy to a subscription-focused model centered on high-quality, differentiated content.
This strategy proved highly successful. The Atlantic announced its return to profitability in early 2024, a significant turnaround from a reported $20 million deficit in 2020. By that time, it had surpassed 1 million subscribers, a number that grew to almost 1.5 million paying subscribers by March 2026. Subscriptions now account for approximately two-thirds of the magazine's revenue, estimated at $507.6 million annually. The publication also expanded its print frequency, resuming monthly issues in 2025.
Recent developments in 2025 and 2026 highlight its continued growth and influence. In March 2025, Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg was involved in a notable 'Signalgate' controversy, where he inadvertently gained access to a government group chat discussing military strikes in Yemen, leading to significant reporting and the reassignment of a National Security Advisor. This incident reportedly contributed to a surge in new subscribers in the first three months of 2025. In January 2026, The Atlantic soft-launched a new 'Premium Plus' friends and family subscription plan, its first new paywall tier since 2019, further diversifying its revenue streams. The magazine also continued to expand its editorial team, adding 50 journalists in 2025, bringing its total editorial staff to over 200. As of September 2026, The Atlantic remains a prominent voice in American media, known for its in-depth analysis and commitment to quality journalism across various platforms.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The Atlantic made different choices?