accelerator

Google News YouTube Audience Lab 2025

where: Australia, New Zealand
when: March 18th 2025 - July 3rd 2025
cost: Absolutely Free

As part of The Google News Initiative (GNI)'s commitment to help news journalism thrive in the digital age, we’re inviting Australian and New Zealand news organisations and creators/journalists to take part in a custom program.

Applications opening soon

Supported by

About the Accelerator

The Google News Initiative (GNI) YouTube Audience Lab’s primary goal is to equip small-to-medium news publishers, digital-first news channels and news creators/journalists producing public interest journalism with the information, tools and practical support to grow their audience and optimise their news content on YouTube.

Changer has developed and delivered programs empowering news publishers, creators and journalists across the globe in collaboration with YouTube and Google.

Astro Kobi (2.2M Subscribers)
News Accelerator Graduate

Program Details

The Accelerator will include:

8 Weekly Virtual Masterclasses led by Changer (2 hours/week starting March 18, 2025)

Leading strategies and tactics to grow your channel, audience and revenue on YouTube, along with guidance on key YouTube products.

Frameworks and insights to create high quality content and drive audience engagement.

Featuring global experts and renowned news creators sharing best practices in digital journalism, video content strategy and monetisation.

Cultivate a supportive network of news publishers for ongoing collaboration, peer-to-peer learning, and resource sharing.

Drop in Q&A Sessions with a YouTube News Partner Manager

16 Weekly 'Check-In' Sessions with Changer (1 hour/week starting March 20, 2025)

Cohort-based discussions to foster collaboration and cross-pollination of successful strategies.

3 Individual Participant/Organisation 1:1 Consultation Sessions with Changer

To address your specific questions and needs

Masterclass Topics

01Understanding the AlgorithmsUnderstand the ecosystem you're creating content in.
02Packaging & OptimisationAdvanced channel & content packaging and optimisation strategies including how to make effective Thumbnails & Titles.
03Content DevelopmentHow to develop engaging content that a viewer will start to watch, and stay to watch.
04Programming & IdeationHow to conceptualize ideas that viewers will find attractive, and categorize those ideas to maximize engagement.
05Workflow & ProductionEfficient and effective workflow and production methodologies to support your creativity.
06Audience DevelopmentHow to identify, foster and grow your audience.
07Monetisation Pt. 1Fundamentals of revenue strategy and monetisation streams.
08Monetisation Pt. 2Strategies on how to create long lasting value and start thinking like a creative entrepreneur.

Application Requirements

You must be a small-to-medium news publisher, digital-first news channel or news creator/journalist producing public interest journalism incorporated or registered in Australia or New Zealand
You must have a live YouTube Channel
You agree to attend at least 90% of scheduled sessions, complete set tasks and activities and respond to pre and post-program surveys. As a free program worth approx. $10,000 per participant, we are only looking for highly committed and motivated participants
Preference may be given to applicants who also have a news-focused consumer website
Eligible applicants can include for-profit or nonprofit traditional news organisations, digital natives, radio and/or TV broadcasters so long as the other guidelines are met, however Government-owned entities and individuals are not eligible to apply

Further GNI program T&Cs are available here

Applications opening soon

Testimonials from previous participants

“I just wanted to say thank you for all of your guidance for the channel. It's really hard to believe how much it has grown.”

Dami Lee — 1.82M Subscribers

Creator Accelerator Alumni

“The News Accelerator program provided me with guidance that is hard to find in the creator economy, the team should be proud!”

Astro Kobi — 2.4M Subscribers

Next Generation News Accelerator 2023

“ I gained confidence in how the platform functions, ways to be most successful, and had space to workshop and fail with safety nets in place. I'd recommend this experience to anyone new to YouTube.”

Under The Desk News — 38K Subscribers

Next Generation News Accelerator 2023