Zeteo Mehdi Hasan's Progressive Media Outlet

Zeteo (from the Ancient Greek zētéō, meaning "to seek, to inquire") is a progressive media company and Substack newsletter founded by British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan on April 15, 2024. Established following the cancellation of his talk show on MSNBC, Hasan launched Zeteo to provide a left-wing perspective on news stories that are often overlooked or underreported by mainstream corporate media.

History and Launch

The catalyst for Zeteo's creation was the cancellation of the Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC in 2023. This event sparked significant support from progressive audiences who felt the show's cancellation was a result of its critical stance. On February 28, 2024, Hasan announced the formation of Zeteo, raising $4 million in funding from friends, family, and fans to ensure the outlet's independence.

Pre-launch and Growth

Hasan envisioned Zeteo not as a personality-driven network, but as a platform featuring multiple voices. The outlet launched on Substack in April 2024, initially offering daily news and a weekly talk show, Mehdi Unfiltered, and a podcast. By the time of its launch, the Substack newsletter already had 94,000 subscribers. Shortly after, the company surpassed 150,000 subscribers, with 20,000 of whom were paid members.

Operations and Reach

Zeteo operates as a multi-platform media entity. It maintains a robust presence on YouTube, where it has amassed over 2 million subscribers and uploads several videos per week. Its Substack newsletter is one of the top political newsletters on the platform by revenue, with over 450,000 subscribers and 50,000 paid subscribers as of August 2025.

Contributors and Revenue

The company has attracted high-profile contributors, including activist Greta Thunberg, writer Naomi Klein, comedian W. Kamau Bell, and journalist Spencer Ackerman. By November 2025, Zeteo's estimated annual revenue reached approximately $3.9 million, driven by a subscription model where paid members pay $12 per month.

Expansion into the United Kingdom

In June 2026, Mehdi Hasan announced the expansion of Zeteo into the United Kingdom with the launch of Zeteo UK. Hasan cited the "broken" state of the UK media landscape, alleging bias and a decline in trust in traditional outlets. Zeteo UK is set to feature prominent figures such as Owen Jones, Grace Blakeley, and Afua Hirsch.