[4] The online newspaper (its literal name in Norwegian) was launched on 1 November 1996,[5][6] and was founded by Odd Harald Hauge, Stig Eide Sivertsen and Knut Ivar Skeid.

[3] In 2000 the founders of Nettavisen helped launch the (now-defunct) German sister site Netzeitung.

[3] Due to millions of NOK in deficits and resulting major staff cuts, on 23 October 2008 the board of TV 2 decided to initiate negotiations with its owners, Egmont and Amedia, to sell the newspaper.

[3] In 2014 the media company posted record earnings with 39,7 per cent in annual income growth.

[9] By the 2010s Nettavisen turned deficits into major surpluses, making it in the unusual position in 2015 of being able to hire new staff with its new offices in traditional newspaper street Akersgata, when other newspapers continue to be under strong pressure despite millions in press support (of which Nettavisen receives none).