Fairfax Media chief executive Greg Hywood has told investors that the company's metropolitan publishing titles will move to a new publishing model in future years with fewer print editions and a 24/7 digital publishing focus.

Mr Hywood told the Macquarie investor conference that because of major cuts carried out over the past four years it would cost a "manageable" $150 million, approximately, if Fairfax had to close its metropolitan publishing businesses, both print and online, down from $450 million four years ago.

Greg Hywood, Fairfax Media CEO, has emphasised the company sees a ''future sustainable, profitable publishing model''. Credit:Peter Braig

But he stressed to analysts and fund managers that the company, which owns The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review, sees a "future sustainable, profitable publishing model" despite falling print audiences and high printing costs.

Mr Hywood told the conference: "We have a path to the future but we wanted the market to understand that that path was de-risked." Investors have been concerned that if financial conditions for publishing worsen Fairfax could face massive costs to close down its publishing operations, in a worst-case scenario.