Journalistic Innovation Ranking in Spain (2015-2023). Indexing of 20 Outlets and Longitudinal Analysis of Change

Journalistic innovation has consolidated over recent decades as a necessary response for the survival of the sector. This research updates and expands the 2014 Journalistic Innovation Ranking (De Lara et al., 2015) with a longitudinal approach. The objectives are to identify the 20 most innovative journalistic initiatives in the Spanish media market between 2015 and 2023, analyze the nature (degree, area, and relationship with technology) of the innovations adopted within them, and compare their evolution with the previous ranking. The methodology includes the identification of innovative entities through a panel of 22 experts and a filter of social, professional, and expert relevance, followed by content analysis and interviews with media managers to detect the innovations they implement. Subsequently, the innovations are studied to detect their characteristics, cross-checked through blind peer review and a focus group, and assigned scores and classifications. The results reveal a heterogeneous landscape where innovation has spread from the margins of the industry to consolidated traditional or native digital media. Only four initiatives appear in both editions, reflecting the difficulty of maintaining a reputation for innovation. 90% of the innovations remain incremental, with distribution and production accumulating the largest number of innovations, although commercialization shows more radical ones. Technology plays an important but not central role, as non-technological innovations account for 40%.