What Happened
Telegram.hr, a Croatian digital media company, reported a remarkable 54% growth in revenue for 2025, marking its best year since inception, according to CEO Miran Pavić. The company, founded in 2015 in Zagreb, has transitioned to a subscription-based model, which has become a significant revenue source by early 2026.
Why It Matters
This growth is notable in a market where only 6% of Croatian audiences are willing to pay for online news, one of the lowest subscription rates in the region. Pavić’s decision to implement a subscription program, initially considered in 2015, was delayed until 2021 due to local payment infrastructure limitations. The success of Telegram.hr challenges the prevailing notion that audiences in Croatia prefer free content.
What’s Next
As Telegram.hr continues to lead the Croatian market, it may influence other media companies in the region to explore similar subscription models. The ongoing development of audience monetization strategies will be crucial for sustaining growth in a market traditionally resistant to paid news.
