Saturday, January 10, 2009

Edmonds predicts what's in store for newspapers this year

Here's the whole thing: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=123&aid=156515

His most interesting prediction:

We will see a paper or two passed on to a civic-minded ownership group, such as the Maine citizens who are currently trying to get financing to buy the Portland Press Herald and its associated publications.

His most problematic prediction:

... expect more papers -- but only a few -- to try omitting home delivery or any paper publication certain days of the week while retaining a print product on Sunday and perhaps a few other days. Though such moves would save a lot of money, I don't think that justifies the loss of some advertising and circulation revenue for the great majority of papers that are still profitable. And there is a strategic risk of making the newspaper less available and less essential.

I disagree. I think the huge cost savings will more than make up for the loss in revenue. By definition the days cut will be the ones that bring in the least readership and advertising.

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