15min

''15min'' () is one of the largest news websites in Lithuania, attracting over one million unique users per month. JSC "15min" is owned by the Lithuanian company "4 Bees," which is owned by Tomas Balžekas, Martynas Basokas, Gabrielė Burbienė, and Tomas Bindokas.

History

Founded on 1 September 2005, ''15min'' started as a daily newspaper distributed freely across Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda through various channels, including in public transport, streets, and some cafés. Seven months later, the Norwegian media conglomerate Schibsted acquired the company overseeing its operations.

On 7 August 2008, the company expanded its reach by launching the online news portal ''15min.lt''. The frequency of publication was reduced to three times per week as of Autumn 2009. In December 2011, the publication transitioned into a weekly newspaper obtainable in seven Lithuanian cities. Additionally, it launched a subscription delivery in April 2012.

In June 2013, the newspaper underwent a substantial transitional shift. A strategic decision was made to completely discontinue the printed publication and commit exclusively to digital publishing. In September, Schibsted decided to exit the Baltic market. Consequently, the Eesti Meedia, the parent company of the ''15min'', was sold to the senior management.

''15min'' began functioning without an editor-in-chief in April 2015, entrusting department heads and editors with more managerial responsibility. Known for its investigative journalism, it was an official partner of the investigation team that verified and published the Panama Papers on 3 April 2016. That same month ''15min'' updated the portal and the next month it disabled anonymous comments. At the same time it also introduced a paywall to ad-blockers, thus partially charging for content.

Under a partnership agreement active until 2017, ''15min'' carried pieces from other brands of the Žurnalų leidybos grupės such as Žmonės. After that it replaced them with sections such as "Life," "Food," and "Names."

On 16 December 2019, a paid content subscription service was launched, initially named "15MAX" and later rebranded as "15min subscription."
On 25 September 2020, the workers union "Independent 15min Editorial Staff" was formed, and the journalists from the Investigative Department resigned from their positions.

In 2021, it was announced that JSC "15min" would merge with JSC "Media Bitės". Upon completion of the merger, the "15min Group" became the owner of the news portal "15min," the news agency BNS, and the magazine "Žmonės."

In April 2021, it was reported that "15min," BNS, and "Media Bitės" were merging. After receiving approval from the Competition Council, the "15min Group" began operations in Lithuania. In this new structure, 60% is owned by AS "Postimees Grupp" and 40% by "4 Bees", which is owned by T. Balžekas, M. Basokas, G. Burbienė, and T. Bindokas. Following the merger, the businesses that belonged to "Media Bitės" became part of JSC "15min."

In December 2023, "4 Bees" acquired 60% of JSC "15min" and 100% of its subsidiary UAB "BNS" shares from AS "Postimees Grupp". "4 Bees" became the sole owner of 100 % of the shares.

On 1 July 2024, it was announced that JSC "15min" had signed an agreement to acquire radio stations owned by "M-1," and on 31 July, it was announced that the acquisition deal was completed.

Leaders

Managers

* 2005–2017 Tomas Balžekas
* 2017–2021 Ramūnas Šaučikovas
* 2021 Donatas Večerskis
* 2021–present Tomas Balžekas

Editors-in-Chief

* 2008–2010 Žilvinas Pekarskas
* 2011 Liudas Dapkus
* 2012–2015 Rimvydas Valatka
* 2015–2017 ''none''
* 2017–2021 Raimundas Celencevičius
* 2021–present Vaidotas Beniušis

References

External links

*

Daily newspapers published in Lithuania
2005 establishments in Lithuania
Free newspapers
Newspapers established in 2005

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