A leading Spanish sports publisher is piloting AI tools to help adapt digital content for print. The project aims to boost efficiency while keeping editorial standards and identity intact.
SPORT, a major Spanish sports news outlet, is piloting new AI-driven tools to help its newsroom adapt digital content for print editions without sacrificing editorial control or brand identity. As digital-first workflows become standard, the publisher is seeking ways to make the print production process more efficient while maintaining the quality and coherence readers expect.
The initiative, called ESCRIBA, is being developed by Ediciones Deportivas Catalanas, S.A.U., with support from public grants aimed at integrating AI into media company value chains. The project focuses on using AI to assist with tasks such as content selection, organization, and layout for the print edition, all under the supervision of editorial staff.
SPORT’s newsroom faces the challenge of managing a fast-paced sports agenda, where news, analysis, interviews, and match reports are constantly updated online. Translating this dynamic digital content into a cohesive print product requires careful coordination, as print pages have strict space, design, and deadline constraints.
According to the publisher, ESCRIBA is designed to support, not replace, professional judgment. The AI system can propose content arrangements and help with operational tasks, but final decisions remain with editors who understand the publication’s priorities and audience. This approach aims to combine the speed and precision of automation with the nuanced oversight of experienced journalists.
The project is part of a broader push in the media sector to experiment with AI for process improvement and competitiveness. Public funding supports experimental projects like ESCRIBA that seek to strengthen editorial workflows and reduce operational bottlenecks, especially in labor-intensive phases of print production.
SPORT’s efforts reflect a growing interest among publishers in leveraging AI to bridge the gap between digital and print operations. Similar experiments have been reported elsewhere, such as when United Daily News Group developed a system to embed editorial judgment into newsroom workflows, as described in this report on scalable editorial decision-making.
ESCRIBA is positioned as a tool to enhance, not disrupt, the editorial closing process. By supporting layout and organization tasks, the system aims to help SPORT’s team meet tight deadlines and maintain the publication’s distinctive voice in print, even as the pace of digital news accelerates.
The ESCRIBA project is funded by the European Union’s NextGenerationEU program, within Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, and is supported by the Ministry for Digital Transformation and the Civil Service.
