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15min (Lithuanian: Penkiolika minučių) is one of the largest news websites in Lithuania, attracting over one million unique users per month.[2] JSC "15min" is owned by the Lithuanian company "4 Bees," which is owned by Tomas Balžekas, Martynas Basokas, Gabrielė Burbienė, and Tomas Bindokas.

Key Information

History

[edit]
Old logo of 15min
15min headquarters in Vilnius

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.[3] In December 2011, the publication transitioned into a weekly newspaper obtainable in seven Lithuanian cities.[4][5] Additionally, it launched a subscription delivery in April 2012.[6]

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.[3] 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.[7]

15min began functioning without an editor-in-chief in April 2015, entrusting department heads and editors with more managerial responsibility.[8] 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.[9][10][11][12] That same month 15min updated the portal and the next month it disabled anonymous comments.[13] At the same time it also introduced a paywall to ad-blockers, thus partially charging for content.[14]

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."[15]

On 16 December 2019, a paid content subscription service was launched, initially named "15MAX" and later rebranded as "15min subscription."[16] On 25 September 2020, the workers union "Independent 15min Editorial Staff" was formed, and the journalists from the Investigative Department resigned from their positions.[17]

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."[18]

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."[19]

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.[20]

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.[21]

Leaders

[edit]

Managers

[edit]
  • 2005–2017 Tomas Balžekas
  • 2017–2021 Ramūnas Šaučikovas
  • 2021 Donatas Večerskis
  • 2021–present Tomas Balžekas

Editors-in-Chief

[edit]
  • 2008–2010 Žilvinas Pekarskas
  • 2011 Liudas Dapkus
  • 2012–2015 Rimvydas Valatka
  • 2015–2017 none
  • 2017–2021 Raimundas Celencevičius
  • 2021–present Vaidotas Beniušis

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

15min

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

15min (Lithuanian: Penkiolika minučių) is a leading online news portal in , established on November 10, 2003, as a digital platform delivering timely reporting, , and analysis on topics including national politics, , , , and . Operating under the 15min Group—a Lithuanian-owned that encompasses radio stations, magazines, and other digital brands—the portal attracts a substantial audience, with an average of approximately 459,000 daily unique users in January 2025 (+10.16% year-over-year) according to Gemius research. Available in Lithuanian, English, and Russian editions since 2014, it emphasizes real-time news updates and maintains a initiative called Patikrinta 15min to verify claims amid Lithuania's media landscape.

History

Founding and Print Era (2005–2013)

15min originated as the free daily tabloid newspaper 15 minučių, launched on September 1, 2005, targeting urban readers in Lithuania's three largest cities: , , and . The publication was produced by UAB "15 minučių", focusing on concise news coverage formatted for quick reading, with articles designed to fit the titular 15-minute timeframe. Distribution emphasized accessibility, placing copies in public buses, on streets, and in select cafés to maximize reach among commuters and casual readers without subscription costs. In March 2006, Norwegian media conglomerate acquired UAB "15 minučių", gaining majority control and integrating the into its Baltic expansion strategy. Under 's ownership, the print edition maintained its free model, relying on while competing in Lithuania's fragmented market, where paid dailies dominated but free sheets gained traction amid declining traditional readership. The acquisition provided resources for operational scaling, though specific circulation figures remained modest compared to established titles, reflecting the challenges of free distribution in a small market. The online platform 15min.lt debuted on August 7, 2008, marking an early pivot toward digital alongside print operations. By 2012, amid shifting patterns, the daily print shifted to a weekly format to adapt to declining ad revenues and rising digital engagement. Print publication ceased entirely in 2013, concluding the era as the brand transitioned fully online, with the physical newspaper's legacy informing the portal's fast-paced, urban-focused content style.

Digital Transition and Early Ownership Shifts (2013–2021)

In the early 2010s, 15min shifted its focus from print publications to digital platforms amid declining newspaper circulation and rising online readership in . Originally launched as a free daily newspaper in 2007, the outlet reduced print frequency to three issues per week following the 2008–2009 , which strained advertising revenues across Baltic media. By 2013, 15min emphasized its news portal 15min.lt, which grew to become one of Lithuania's top online destinations, attracting over one million unique monthly visitors through mobile-optimized content and expanded digital features like video and interactive reporting. This transition aligned with broader industry trends, where digital ad revenues began surpassing print, though challenges persisted in monetizing online traffic without compromising . Ownership changes marked a significant phase during this period, with Estonian media conglomerate AS Eesti Meedia (later rebranded as ) assuming control of 15min around 2013–2014. Eesti Meedia, previously backed by Norwegian group until its divestment to Estonian investors in 2013, integrated 15min into its Baltic portfolio alongside portals like and TVNet.lv, aiming to leverage cross-border synergies in content distribution and classifieds. Under this ownership, 15min expanded digital operations, including the 2017 appointment of Tomas Balžekas as CEO to oversee Lithuanian assets, focusing on audience growth and ad tech investments. The Estonian parent's strategy emphasized digital scalability, but local management retained operational autonomy, amid occasional tensions over editorial influence reported in 2020 when journalists resigned protesting perceived interference. A pivotal ownership evolution occurred in April 2021, when 15min merged with Lithuanian firm Media bitės (later restructured as 4 Bees), diluting foreign control. Post-merger, Grupp held 60% of the new 15min Group, while Media bitės shareholders—primarily local investors including Balžekas—secured 40%, signaling a partial of equity to Lithuanian hands. This structure facilitated expanded digital ventures, such as enhanced integration and subscription models, while navigating regulatory from Lithuania's Radio and Television Commission on foreign media influence. The shift supported 15min's growth to second-largest news portal status, with digital revenues stabilizing post-pandemic through diversified streams like premium content and events.

Modern Developments and Expansions (2021–present)

In July 2024, 15min Group, the parent entity of the 15min.lt news portal, acquired the M-1 radio station network from owner Rūta Grušnienė, marking a significant expansion into broadcast audio media. The deal encompassed stations including M-1, M-1 Plius, M-1 Dance, Laluna, and , along with advertising firm Reklamos Ekspertai, thereby diversifying 15min Group's portfolio beyond digital news into traditional radio operations with a national reach. This acquisition followed regulatory approvals and aimed to integrate radio content with 15min's digital platforms for cross-media synergies. To finance the M-1 purchase and support further growth, 15min Group launched a €15 million public bond offering in October 2024, successfully raising €16 million through listings on the Baltic First North market. The funds were earmarked for the acquisition debt and enhancing online services, such as expanded content production and technological upgrades. This financial maneuver reflected investor confidence in 15min's growth trajectory amid Lithuania's competitive media landscape. In June 2025, the 4 Bees, which controls 15min Group, welcomed two new investors, injecting capital to bolster operational expansions and content diversification. These investments targeted enhancements in offerings, including potential integrations and audience engagement tools, building on 15min.lt's established position as a leading digital news provider with over one million monthly users. The moves positioned 15min Group for sustained competitiveness in a market shifting toward converged digital-audio ecosystems.

Ownership and Corporate Structure

Key Shareholders and Governance

UAB 15min, the primary operating entity of the 15min Group, is wholly owned by , a holding company established in 2021 to consolidate control following the buyout of prior foreign stakes, including from the Estonian Postimees Group. The key shareholders of 4 Bees are Tomas Balžekas, who holds the majority stake of approximately 59%, Martynas Basokas with around 24%, Gabrielė Burbienė, and Tomas Bindokas, reflecting the management's full acquisition of shares in December 2023 to repatriate ownership to Lithuanian hands. In 2025, 4 Bees welcomed minority investors to support expansion: Mediatech Investment Fund acquired a 22.18% stake in June, diluting prior holdings proportionally, while Justinas Jarutis joined as a smaller minority in May after prior involvement in the group's initiatives. These changes maintain majority control with the founding management team, as approved by Lithuanian competition authorities. Governance of UAB 15min operates under Lithuanian private (UAB) regulations, with a management board comprising CEO Tomas Balžekas, Gabrielė Burbienė, and Martynas Basokas, responsible for operational decisions and . Shareholder oversight through 4 Bees ensures alignment with growth objectives, including recent acquisitions like the M-1 radio stations in 2024, without a separate public typical of larger listed entities.

Financial Overview

UAB "15min", the primary operating entity of the 15min media group, reported consolidated sales of €11,234,921 in 2024, reflecting a year-over-year increase from €10,415,546 in 2023 and €7,152,158 in 2022. The standalone for UAB "15min" itself stood at €6,732,750 in 2024, driven primarily by digital advertising on the 15min.lt portal, which reached 1,322,400 real users in May 2025, supplemented by from acquired subsidiaries including radio stations and news agencies. Profitability has varied, with the consolidated group recording a net loss of €1,021,300 in amid expansion investments, while the standalone entity achieved a modest net profit of €98,060. Across the broader group of subsidiaries, aggregate turnover reached €18.7 million in the last reported financial year, with EBITDA of €4.5 million, indicating operational leverage from diversified media assets like and M-1 radio, acquired to bolster audience reach. In October 2024, the group issued a €16 million bond on Baltic First North, attracting record investor participation in the Baltics to fund growth initiatives, following the 2023 where key executives via 4 Bees acquired 100% ownership from prior Norwegian stakeholder . This debt financing aligns with a strategy emphasizing digital and audio expansion, though it introduces leverage amid fluctuating ad markets influenced by economic cycles in .

Content and Operations

Core Coverage Areas

15min.lt focuses on a broad spectrum of topics centered on Lithuanian domestic affairs alongside international developments, with dedicated sections for , , , , and . The portal's "Naujausios naujienos" (Latest News) category aggregates real-time updates on events across , including regional happenings in cities like and , as well as national policy shifts and public safety incidents. This section often highlights empirical data-driven stories, such as or economic indicators, drawing from official reports and on-the-ground reporting. In politics, coverage spans domestic governance, elections, and legislative debates, with frequent analysis of proceedings and executive decisions, while international politics emphasizes relations, commitments, and geopolitical tensions involving neighbors like and . Economic reporting under the "Verslas" (Business) banner examines market trends, such as housing prices in or export figures, often incorporating data from Statistics Lithuania and releases for verifiable metrics like GDP growth rates or at 2.3% in mid-2023. Society and culture sections address social issues, including demographics, education reforms, and cultural events, with features on topics like initiatives or heritage preservation, supported by surveys showing, for instance, 67% of intending to vaccinate against in early 2021 amid safety concerns. Sports coverage, via "Sportas," prioritizes Lithuanian achievements in , athletics, and football, reporting on leagues like matches and Olympic qualifications, with detailed scorelines and player statistics from events such as FC Riteriai's draws strengthening relegation avoidance in 2024. Entertainment and "Žmonės" () categories feature celebrity profiles, reviews, and pieces, including investigative angles on media figures or cultural trends, while crime ("Kriminalai") details actions with specifics like numbers or outcomes. forms a key pillar, producing special reports on or environmental risks, often corroborated by multiple data sources to ensure factual rigor over narrative framing. Overall, these areas reflect a commitment to timely, Lithuania-centric content, supplemented by English and Russian editions for broader accessibility since 2013.

Digital Features and Business Model

15min operates a digital-first news platform centered on its website, 15min.lt, which delivers real-time news updates, long-form articles, and content to an audience exceeding 18 million monthly visits as of September 2025. The platform includes interactive features such as embedded videos, user polls, and comment sections, alongside specialized sections for in-depth reporting and data visualizations. Complementary offerings encompass daily audio news briefs, podcasts on topics ranging from current events to , and newsletters providing curated summaries and exclusive insights. Mobile accessibility is facilitated through dedicated apps for Android and , enabling push notifications for , offline reading capabilities, and seamless integration with subscription services for premium access. These apps emphasize user engagement via personalized feeds and real-time alerts, though user ratings average around 3.0 on and lower on the , reflecting occasional feedback on interface stability. The relies predominantly on digital , which constitutes approximately 70% of total revenue, sourced from display ads, sponsored content, and programmatic sales across online portals. This ad-centric approach was particularly vulnerable during disruptions like the quarantine in 2020, when 15min reported 94% of its income tied to and lost half of monthly ad orders in the initial days. To diversify, the company implemented a strategy in 2017, featuring a narrative-driven prompt encouraging subscriptions over simple ad-blocker whitelisting, granting access to exclusive long-reads, ad-free experiences, and electronic publications. Ongoing efforts aim to expand subscription revenue through tiered digital services, including premium newsletters and app-based content, though remains the core pillar amid limited disclosure on exact subscription penetration. Financial reports indicate consolidated revenues reached €7.2 million in the first four months of 2023 alone, bolstered by digital growth initiatives.

Leadership

Managers

Tomas Balžekas serves as the general director (generalinis direktorius) of UAB „15min“, the company operating the 15min news portal, a position he assumed on September 10, 2021, following a period of interim leadership. Balžekas previously held the role from 2005 to February 2017, during which the outlet expanded from print to a dominant digital platform, before departing amid ownership transitions under Norwegian parent Schibsted. Under his current tenure, 15min has pursued Lithuanian ownership consolidation, with full control shifting to the 4 Bees holding company—co-owned by Balžekas and partners Martynas Basokas, Gabrielė Burbienė, and Tomas Bindokas—by December 2023. Dr. Donatas Večerskis acts as deputy general director (generalinio direktoriaus pavaduotojas), supporting operational oversight in digital strategy and since at least 2021. Večerskis, holding a , contributes to the management team's focus on integrating 15min with affiliated entities like BNS , emphasizing revenue diversification through , subscriptions, and acquisitions such as the M-1 radio stations in 2024. Prior managerial leadership included Ramūnas Šaučikovas as CEO from 2017 to 2021, a period marked by efforts to stabilize finances amid Schibsted's divestitures, followed briefly by Večerskis in an capacity before Balžekas's return. The managerial structure prioritizes agile decision-making in a competitive , with Balžekas's dual role as executive and influencing strategic pivots toward domestic control and expansion.

Editors-in-Chief

Vaidotas Beniušis has served as (Vyriausiasis redaktorius) of 15min since April 15, 2021. He previously worked as editorial director at the BNS news agency and joined 15min in roles focused on content development. Beniušis holds a in from and entered in 2005 after completing in . Under his leadership, the outlet has emphasized digital integration of in editorial processes, as noted in his public statements on adapting journalistic workflows. Preceding Beniušis, Raimundas Celencevičius held the position from March 1, 2017, until November 13, 2020, when he resigned amid internal editorial shifts following ownership changes. Celencevičius had risen from editing the Aktualijų section and focused on restructuring content teams during his tenure. Earlier, Rimvydas Valatka served as until March 30, 2015, departing by mutual agreement as part of a broader reorganization that introduced a publisher role and flattened the editorial hierarchy. During this period from approximately , Valatka oversaw expansion in investigative and opinion content, aligning with the portal's growth phase post-digital transition. The role's evolution reflects 15min's adaptations to market pressures, with interim or acting arrangements filling gaps between appointments, such as after Celencevičius's exit until Beniušis's formalization.

Editorial Stance and Bias

Political Orientation

15min.lt exhibits a liberal editorial orientation, characterized by advocacy for free-market economics, individual liberties, and strong alignment with Western institutions such as the and . This stance reflects broader trends in Lithuanian media post-independence, where outlets prioritize neoliberal reforms and integration into global markets over socialist policies. Media scholar Mantas Martišius argued in 2013 that Lithuania's , including portals like 15min.lt, systematically promote right-leaning political and economic ideas, framing such consistent advocacy as "" that normalizes pro-capitalist narratives without overt ideological labeling. Coverage of often emphasizes deregulation, , and , as seen in reporting on Lithuania's GDP growth from €37.3 billion in 2010 to €70.2 billion in 2023, attributing gains to market-oriented reforms. Political reporting favors center-right parties like the –Lithuanian Christian Democrats (TS-LKD), which governed from 2016 to 2020 and again since 2024, while scrutinizing left-leaning Social Democrats for perceived ties to outdated welfare models. On , 15min.lt consistently supports Lithuania's geopolitical pivot westward, with extensive coverage of threats from —such as the 2022 invasion of , which prompted editorials urging increased defense spending to 3% of GDP by 2025—and criticism of pro-Moscow elements in domestic opposition. This pro-Atlanticist lean counters historical Soviet influence, evidenced by the outlet's unit, Patikrinta 15min, which debunks narratives aligned with propaganda. Domestically, social coverage leans progressive on issues like EU-funded infrastructure but remains cautious on cultural conservatism, avoiding endorsement of far-left prevalent in some . Critics from conservative circles occasionally label 15min.lt as liberally biased for amplifying urban, pro-globalization voices, yet quantitative analyses of article framing show no systemic favoritism toward left-wing , with over 70% of pieces in 2023 favoring market liberalization. The outlet's independence is underscored by its 2023 shift to full Lithuanian ownership under the 4 Bees holding, distancing it from prior foreign influences like , potentially reinforcing a national-liberal perspective unencumbered by external progressive pressures. Overall, this orientation prioritizes empirical economic success and security realism over ideological purity, aligning with Lithuania's causal trajectory from Soviet collapse to prosperity.

Criticisms and Alternative Viewpoints

In October 2020, at least five journalists from 15min.lt resigned in , accusing the outlet's director, Vidas Nedzinskas, of interfering in processes by demanding alterations to articles critical of specific politicians and interests, which they argued compromised . The resignations highlighted tensions between priorities—potentially aligned with commercial or ownership concerns—and journalistic autonomy, with the affected reporters forming an independent platform to continue investigative work free from such pressures. External critiques have targeted 15min.lt's fact-checking unit, Patikrinta 15min, which holds IFCN but faced a 2020 public alleging favoring the interests of owners linked to the Postimees Group at the time, rather than impartial verification, particularly in politically sensitive topics like campaigns. Such claims underscore risks in media owned by business conglomerates, where economic incentives could subtly influence or labeling of narratives, though the outlet has denied partisanship and emphasized internal transparency protocols. Qualitative analyses of coverage patterns reveal criticisms of unbalanced framing in sensitive social topics; for instance, a 2020 study of online media found 15min.lt articles disproportionately associating Roma communities with criminality (e.g., theft rings or schemes), often without contextualizing socioeconomic factors or positive counterexamples, potentially perpetuating stereotypes amid Lithuania's low media trust environment where only 37% of respondents expressed confidence in outlets as of 2017 surveys. This approach drew ethical rebukes for prioritizing over dialogue-promoting alternatives, contrasting with the portal's self-proclaimed commitment to objective reporting. Alternative perspectives, particularly from conservative-leaning observers and conspiracy-adjacent groups, portray 15min.lt as exhibiting a liberal orientation that amplifies pro-EU economic policies and while marginalizing traditionalist or nationalist views prevalent in Lithuania's fragmented media ecosystem. These critics argue that, despite ownership shifts to Lithuanian business figures like Tomas Balžekas via 4 Bees in 2023, inherent commercialism fosters a centrist-liberal skew to appeal to urban, affluent audiences, sidelining rural or right-leaning constituencies amid broader distrust fueled by perceived in post-Soviet media structures.

Controversies

2020 Journalistic Resignations

In September 2020, amid internal restructuring at the Lithuanian online news portal 15min.lt, 47 employees formed a named the "Independent 15min Newsroom," representing approximately 40 percent of the workforce, citing concerns over the company director's unwillingness to heed employee input and potential threats to . The union's formation on September 25 preceded resignations from the investigative department, where journalists alleged undue interference by director Ramūnas Šaučikovas in decisions. By early October 2020, at least two investigative reporters, Dovydas Pancerovas and Birutė Davidonytė, had resigned in protest, with Pancerovas specifically decrying the "limiting of journalists’ independence" and the "silencing of critics" dissatisfied with the director's performance. The resignations stemmed from Šaučikovas's announcement of organizational changes, including plans to dismiss key editors such as chief editor Raimundas Celencevičius, which staff viewed as an overreach into newsroom autonomy. Pancerovas emphasized that "in democratic countries the head of a media company cannot interfere in the work of the editorial staff." Šaučikovas responded by welcoming the union's establishment, describing it as "a good thing" and affirming the company's respect for employees' rights to organize. The director's efforts were framed by management as necessary operational adjustments, though critics within the argued they compromised journalistic standards. These events highlighted broader tensions between commercial oversight and at 15min.lt, a major player in Lithuania's digital media sector.

Coverage of Sensitive Topics

15min.lt's coverage of sensitive topics, such as ethnic minority representation, migration, LGBT issues, gender ideology, historical memory, and crises, has drawn scrutiny for perceived imbalances reflecting a liberal editorial orientation amid Lithuania's conservative societal norms. Analyses indicate that while the outlet often aligns with progressive stances on social liberties, its reporting on minority groups frequently emphasizes security concerns or cultural clashes, potentially reinforcing stereotypes. In ethnic minority coverage, particularly Roma communities, qualitative of 15min.lt articles reveals a pattern of associating Roma with threats, , or social disorder, such as in reports linking Roma to rings or integration failures, which critics argue perpetuates negative without sufficient contextual balance on systemic . Similar tendencies appear in refugee and migration reporting, where 2015-2016 analyses of over 200 articles highlight framing refugees—predominantly from and the —as burdens on welfare systems or security risks, with emphasis on integration challenges and public opposition rather than humanitarian imperatives, contrasting with more neutral . On LGBT topics, 15min.lt has provided supportive visibility, including dedicated sections during Baltic Pride events and collaboration with organizers to amplify participant stories and counter homophobic incidents, such as MP attacks on parades. This approach, while praised by activists, has faced conservative backlash for allegedly prioritizing minority advocacy over majority sentiments in a country where same-sex partnership recognition remains limited as of 2025. Coverage of gender-related issues, including the ratification debates, often frames opposition as rooted in traditionalism, with articles highlighting "gender ideology" critiques from religious voices but positioning as advancing equality against purported ideological threats. Historical memory controversies, notably around figures like —accused of complicity—feature prominently, with 15min.lt publishing investigative pieces and interviews acknowledging his anti-Soviet resistance alongside collaboration allegations, prompting rebuttals from nationalists who decry the coverage as revisionist and influenced by external pressures. During the , the outlet's unit, Patikrinta 15min, targeted on vaccines and restrictions, earning grants for anti-disinformation efforts but attracting criticism from skeptic groups for aligning uncritically with government narratives and censoring dissent, as evidenced by the "Unfollow 15min.lt" campaign peaking at 50,000 members in 2020. These patterns underscore 15min.lt's role in amplifying empirical data on contentious issues while navigating accusations of selective framing, where liberal leanings on coexist with pragmatic emphasis on in ethnic and migration stories. Independent monitors note the outlet's adherence to journalistic standards but highlight the need for broader viewpoint inclusion to mitigate bias perceptions in polarized debates.

Reception and Impact

Audience Reach and Metrics

15min.lt, one of Lithuania's leading online news portals, reported an average of approximately 434,000 daily real users in October 2023, with monthly unique real users exceeding 1.29 million for that period, according to Gemius data cited in media analysis. Earlier 2023 figures from Gemius showed similar reach, with 463,000 average daily real users in and 471,000 in , reflecting consistent positioning among the top three news sites alongside Delfi.lt and LRT.lt. These metrics, derived from panel-based tracking of behavior, indicate that 15min.lt captures a substantial share of Lithuania's roughly 2.5 million users, with top portals collectively serving over 1 million monthly real users each as of 2022–2023 Baltic media assessments. Pageview statistics further underscore its traffic volume: in April 2024, 15min.lt generated 91.3 million , placing it second behind Lrytas.lt's 102 million but ahead of Delfi.lt's 97.8 million, per Gemius-derived rankings published by competitors. Comparable data from October 2023 recorded 98.6 million , highlighting sustained high engagement amid Lithuania's concentrated online news market where three outlets dominate audience share. Such figures position 15min.lt as a key player, though exact unique visitor counts beyond real users vary by measurement methodology, with self-reported or third-party estimates consistently exceeding 1 million monthly uniques. On , 15min.lt maintains a strong presence, with approximately 692,000 followers, 96,000 on , and 3,700 on X (formerly Twitter), enabling broader dissemination of content to engaged audiences. These channels complement website traffic, contributing to overall reach in a landscape where digital news consumption relies heavily on mobile and social referrals, though precise cross-platform overlap remains unquantified in public data.

Influence on Lithuanian Media Landscape

15min.lt has significantly shaped the Lithuanian media landscape as the second-largest news portal, contributing to a concentrated market where a few dominant players capture the majority of audience share. Between 2013 and 2019, news consumption in was primarily divided among three outlets, with 15min.lt holding a substantial portion alongside Delfi.lt (41.7% in 2019) and Lrytas.lt, fostering an oligopolistic structure that prioritizes scale over niche diversity. This concentration has accelerated the shift from traditional print and broadcast media to digital platforms, reflecting Lithuania's high news engagement rates, where 92% of users accessed news portals by 2012. The portal's foreign ownership, initially under Estonia's Meedia Gruppe and later consolidated via mergers such as the 2021 integration with BNS and Media bitės (resulting in 60% control by ), has introduced external capital and operational models, enabling investments in amid a challenging advertising-driven environment. In , 15min Group issued a €15 million bond to fund expansion, marking a first for Baltic media and underscoring adaptation to evolving digital demands like video and mobile content. Such moves have pressured competitors to digitize, reducing reliance on legacy formats while highlighting vulnerabilities in a small market prone to fluctuations. 15min.lt's launch of the "Patikrinta 15min" fact-checking initiative in 2016, later partnered with , has elevated standards for verifying claims, particularly on in and , thereby influencing broader media practices and public trust in online . Complementing this, its dedicated investigative teams have promoted deeper reporting, as evidenced by comparative analyses showing alignment with public broadcaster LRT in quality metrics like sourcing and impact. Early innovations, such as streaming live TV broadcasts from , further democratized access to content, blurring lines between portals and traditional media and compelling the landscape toward integration. Overall, these efforts have professionalized digital news but reinforced dominance by scaled entities, limiting pluralism in a where foreign-influenced outlets like 15min.lt shape agenda-setting for over a million monthly users.

References

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