McClatchy launched a text-to-speech audio feature that will offer readers the option to listen to news content produced by its 30 newsrooms across the country. This is part of McClatchy's strategy in the audio space, which includes initiatives in smart speakers, audio search and podcasts. McClatchy is the first local news media company with a national reach to launch text-to-speech technology. The new Artificial Intelligence (AI) audio feature integrated across McClatchy's digital news sites uses technology to dynamically convert written content into an audio file accurately and virtually instantaneously. The text-to-speech service was tested on two McClatchy news sites over three months with significant positive customer feedback. The results from The Sacramento Bee and The News & Observer showed an increase in user engagement online including a 168% increase in time spent on the news site, an 89% increase in story page views and a 95% increase in visits per user. An easy-to-locate play button is positioned under every article headline, offering readers an effortless way to listen to news with one click. McClatchy has partnered with Trinity Audio on this initiative. Its technology uses AI and Machine Learning to generate an audio version of articles in seconds and also inserts advertising on a revenue share basis.