Highlights · computed from our daily tracking data
- BlackNews currently ranks #871 in the WordPress.org popular themes list.
- Its best position in our tracking is #50, first reached on Feb 3, 2025.
- It is averaging 21 downloads/day over the last 30 days, down 4% versus the month before (22/day).
- The latest release, v2.1.3, shipped on Aug 5, 2026 (2 days ago) — release #63 since the theme joined the directory in 2025.
Ranking history
Active installs
Downloads per day
Details
| Author | AF themes |
|---|---|
| Current version | 2.1.3 |
| Versions released | 63 |
| Last updated | 2026-08-05 |
| Added to directory | 2025-01-20 |
| Requires WordPress | 4.0+ |
| Requires PHP | 5.0+ |
| Type | Classic theme |
| First tracked here | 2025-02-03 |
Description
BlackNews is a dark, magazine-style WordPress child theme built on MoreNews for publishers seeking a high-contrast, professional aesthetic. It supports the Block Editor and major page builders for drag-and-drop layout creation, complemented by the parent header and footer builder. The theme includes banner areas, template kits, and custom widgets optimized for fast performance despite rich visual content. It focuses on SEO, Core Web Vitals, and AMP support while maintaining WCAG compliance. It is translation-ready and supports RTL languages with demos in English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Japanese. https://afthemes.com/products/blacknews/
Frequently asked questions
Is BlackNews a free theme?
Yes — BlackNews is a free, open-source (GPL) theme distributed through the official WordPress.org directory.
Is BlackNews a block theme or a classic theme?
BlackNews is a classic theme: it uses the traditional Customizer/widgets workflow rather than WordPress Full Site Editing.
How many websites use BlackNews?
WordPress.org reports 400+ active installs.
How popular is BlackNews?
As of August 7, 2026, BlackNews ranks #871 in the WordPress.org popular themes list. Its best position in our tracking is #50.
When was BlackNews last updated?
BlackNews was last updated on August 5, 2026 (version 2.1.3). It has shipped 63 releases in total.
Who makes BlackNews?
BlackNews is developed by AF themes. It joined the WordPress.org theme directory in January 2025.
