Al Yamamah Press stops print editions of Al Riyadh and Al Yamamah, moves fully digital on 24 August 2026

# What changed Al Yamamah Press announced it will permanently stop printing Al Riyadh (its Arabic daily) and Al Yamamah (its weekly cultural and political magazine) on 24 August 2026. After that date the publisher will distribute content exclusively via digital channels: websites, mobile applications and digital PDF formats.

# Why the publisher made the move The organisation describes the decision as the final step in a digital plan that began years earlier. With smartphones and social media delivering faster, real-time access to news, Al Yamamah Press is aligning distribution and advertising strategies to digital consumption habits.

# Historical context Al Riyadh launched its first issue on 1 May 1965 and grew into one of Saudi Arabia's prominent Arabic daily papers. Al Yamamah published its first issue in August 1953 and has operated as a weekly cultural and political magazine. The upcoming end of print ends decades of physical publication for both titles.

# How the publisher will operate going forward Al Yamamah Press confirmed its core news brands, titles and editorial coverage will remain active on digital platforms rather than being shut down. The stated distribution formats are:

• Publisher websites
• Mobile applications
• Digital PDF editions

Management indicated editorial standards and the commitment to journalistic quality and reader trust will continue under the digital-only model.

# Related moves and industry context The announcement mirrors a broader shift in traditional media adapting to digital-first consumption and the commercial realities of modern content distribution. Al Yamamah Press previously expanded its online footprint with an English digital publication called Riyadh Today, part of a multiyear digital rollout.

Other regional media and advertising changes referenced in contemporaneous coverage include programmatic digital out-of-home trends and new digital marketing services, reflecting rapid change in how audiences are reached and how publishers monetise content.

The publisher says editorial operations and brand identities will continue online, implying staff, reporting beats and editorial processes will be redeployed or sustained in digital formats. The move likely involves shifts in distribution costs, advertising models and production workflows as paper, printing and physical distribution requirements end.

# What readers and advertisers should expect Readers should anticipate access to Al Riyadh and Al Yamamah via the publisher's websites, mobile apps and downloadable PDFs instead of physical newspapers and magazines. Advertisers will need to engage with the titles' digital advertising and distribution options rather than print placements.

# Timeline and key date

• 24 August 2026: Final printed editions of Al Riyadh and Al Yamamah will be distributed. After that date both titles will be digital-only.

# Bottom line Al Yamamah Press is ending print runs for two long-running Saudi publications and completing a planned transition to digital-only publishing. The company intends to preserve editorial brands and standards while serving content through digital platforms and formats.