diff --git a/docs/NEWS.md b/docs/NEWS.md
index f816cb1..1d1151d 100644
--- a/docs/NEWS.md
+++ b/docs/NEWS.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-### 1.9.44 - UNRELEASED
+### 1.9.44 - 18 October 2025
 
  * *feature:* new **--sparse** option to write sparse output ([#45](https://codeberg.org/ivarch/pv/issues/45))
  * *fix:* don't clear the **--watchfd** display when the watched process ends ([#81](https://codeberg.org/ivarch/pv/issues/81))