How many of you still receive a paper copy of the news?

[Saulbadguy]

I read a headline today saying the KC Star had a bunch of layoffs - and was wondering how the industry may be changing. I realize this poll has been done before, but how many of you still receive the newspaper every day, or just Sunday?

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

The newspaper industry and the public need to figure this out. People shouldn't be able to go on the Web site and read the content for free. Nobody can tell me people don't want to read newspapers. A lot of people say they don't like newspapers, but they really do like them.

But I guess by your logic FOX News, CNN and all the tv stations shouldnt put news stories on their pages either. Geez dude its a new time - they make money off advertising anyways.

[Sam Hall]

Free online content would work if you could convince advertisers that the Web site gets lots of hits. That takes a considerable amount of time for small papers.

[ChiefsCountry]

I think KansasCity.com and the sort are doing just fine in getting hits to their sites.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I think KansasCity.com and the sort are doing just fine in getting hits to their sites.

But they aren't making much money off the site.

[Sam Hall]

It would really help if the economy would improve.

[007]

Originally Posted by Phobia

If you were a publisher you'd understand.

ad revenue. Can't put them all on the same page.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

But they aren't making much money off the site.

Wow dude do you think they just make their money on subsriptions?

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

It would really help if the economy would improve.

Do you have any guesses as to the timing of the Tribune's closing? I'm wondering just how heavily John invested into the acquisition of properties in the path of light rail.... He's always been incredibly passionate about rail - at least every time I spoke with him.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

But they aren't making much money off the site.

The future of news is the internet, and whether or not newspapers adapt to that is..well, up to them. If they don't, they will ultimately fail, IMO. I've found some news sites much better than others, and those that exceed are the ones with features that the others don't have, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and photos. The actual news stories don't necessarily have to drive the site.

I envision that in the near future, probably not in my lifetime, print will essentially become extinct, and subscription based services, such as newspapers and magazines will be the first to go. I've already seen companies like Ziff-Davis have problems, which is unfortunate because they used to put out a quality product. As time went on, and they failed to adapt to change, the magazine got lighter, and added more and more advertisements, and then became pretty much unreadable.

[Sam Hall]

Here's the last graph from the Star article:

The Star is one of a growing number of metropolitan newspapers seeking to reduce expenses during a historic shift in the media industry. Many newspapers, including The Star, are attracting record numbers of readers to their news and advertising content. But most new readers are coming through the papers’ online Web sites, while readership and advertising revenue from their core daily printed products continue to soften.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Do you have any guesses as to the timing of the Tribune's closing? I'm wondering just how heavily John invested into the acquisition of properties in the path of light rail.... He's always been incredibly passionate about rail - at least every time I spoke with him.

I don't know enough to say for sure.

[Saulbadguy]

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

Here's the last graph from the Star article:

Yep - not as much $$$ from the online product, which makes perfect sense.

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

I don't know enough to say for sure.

It tracks in my head but it might be as simple as the horrible economy and the Tribune cutting their losses to the Journal.

It might be even more complicated though. We publish next week. I wonder if I can get a story out of John.

[Sam Hall]

Originally Posted by Phobia

It tracks in my head but it might be as simple as the horrible economy and the Tribune cutting their losses to the Journal.

It might be even more complicated though. We publish next week. I wonder if I can get a story out of John.

I would say it was the economy and the Journal.

[Sam Hall]

People need to pay to read one way or another. It won't be expensive. The print paper should always be the bread and butter. That's why it's called a newspaper. The online edition should complement the print edition. I've written research papers about this.