The Industry Standard - One of top 15 daily U.S. newspapers goes web-only? - Comments

Judged negative. Ian

Ian Lamont — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:56:50 -0400

Judged negative.

Ian Lamont
Managing Editor
The Industry Standard
twitter.com/the_standard

David, I think that is a

Ian Lamont — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:54:00 -0400

David, I think that is a little bit of wishful thinking on the part of traditionalists. Last year, both the NYT and LA Times were reporting tens of millions of unique visitors every month, which rivals their subscription- and newsstand-based print readerships, even if pass-along readers are included.

I think another factor that needs to be considered are the costs of printing newspapers relative to the ad and subscription revenue brought in. Even if a paper has hundreds of thousands of paying print subscribers, if subscription revenue and dwindling print ad revenue can't keep up with printing and distribution costs, it just doesn't make sense to keep the print edition going. It's too expensive, and most readers and advertisers would not accept higher print subscription and ad rates -- especially considering the online alternatives are so cheap and convenient.

My own personal prediction (explained on my blog a few months back) is that nearly all print publications will be dead or online-only in five years' time. That will disappoint many readers who prefer the print edition, but I don't see how print's high costs can be supported in an increasingly online-centric world.

Ian Lamont
Managing Editor

This would indicate that

David Kuan — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 17:20:12 -0400

This would indicate that migration to online only will not be anytime soon on a mass scale

NY Times: "The Seattle

Eric Hill113600 — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:32:00 -0400

NY Times: "The Seattle Post-Intelligencer newspaper will produce its last printed edition on Tuesday and become an Internet-only news source, the Hearst Corporation said on Monday, making it by far the largest American newspaper to take that leap."

Time has published a list of

Yi-Wyn Yen167771 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:59:25 -0400

Time has published a list of top 10 newspapers that are likely to fold or go online only. The list includes the NY Daily News.

Hearst has announced the

Yi-Wyn Yen167771 — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:25:25 -0500

Hearst has announced the Seattle P-I will go web-only.

Philly newspapers, including

Yi-Wyn Yen167771 — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:43:38 -0500

Philly newspapers, including Philadelphia Inquirer and News file for Chapter 11.

News Corp set to trim

Eric Hill113600 — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:35:56 -0500

News Corp set to trim newspaper jobs in US and UK

@Matt, did you see this

Eric Hill113600 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 16:46:13 -0500

@Matt, did you see this incredible headline? "Printing The NYT Costs Twice As Much As Sending Every Subscriber A Free Kindle"

Maybe someday, but not yet.

Matt Goebel — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:57:43 -0500

Maybe someday, but not yet. Most have huge but negotiaible labor costs - which even in the face of unions, can be adjusted in bankruptcy. These papers still churn out $$$ and most are the only major player in their markets.

Nope, the maths won't work.

Andrew Birmingham — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:22:49 -0500

Nope, the maths won't work.

One of top 15 daily U.S. newspapers goes web-only?

Yi-Wyn Yen — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:36:36 -0500

The economic crisis has rapidly accelerated the demise of daily newspapers. The Seattle Times is the latest to announce it's in danger of filing for bankruptcy protection. Seattle's rival paper, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, is up for sale and will likely fold if it cannot find a buyer by early March.

The days of delivering newspaper to your doorstep is coming to an end quicker than you think.

Prediction: One of the largest 15 daily U.S. newspapers will announce by June 30, 2009 that it will cease printing completely and publish content online or in a digital format only.

Here are the 15 largest daily U.S. newspapers that will be judged for this prediction. The dailies are based on print circulation size, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations:

1. USA Today

2. Wall Street Journal

7. New York Daily News

8. New York Post

9. Detroit Free Press

10. Houston Chronicle

11. Philadelphia Inquirer

12. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

13. Boston Globe

14. Dallas Morning News

15. Atlanta Journal-Constitution

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