Somewhat OT: Times Co. threatens to shutter Boston Globe.

[Dave Tomm]

I think that the ultimate endgame will be the print editions of both  
papers eventually being phased out and going to an online only  
model.   The Times would rather do this gradually than abruptly, like  
the Post-Intellegencer did in Seattle.  By cutting more jobs and  
restructuring some contracts, they can run a leaner print edition,  
with the paper getting thinner and thinner over time, and cheaper to  
produce.  At the same time they'll aggressively promote the online  
version, and try to convert as many readers as they can to the web,  
then quietly discontinue print.  This would be preferable to having to  
pull the plug right away, and dealing with the major PR hit that would  
come along with that decision.  It also buys some time in hopes that  
the Herald makes this move first....

Right now the two big categories at print, automotive and retail, are  
really hurting which is not helping matters.  If print was to go away,  
I would think most of that money would go to television, not radio.

-Dave Tomm


On Apr 3, 2009, at 10:49 PM, Kevin Vahey wrote:

> If the Globe is losing close to 90 million a year they going to need
> more than help from the unions.
>
> Times endgame may be to close Boston and then tell Times workers "see
> we are not bluffing"
>
>
>
> On 4/3/09, Sean Smyth <ssmyth@psualum.com> wrote:
>>
>> I know it doesn't directly relate to radio, but it does relate to  
>> media in
>> the market: The New York Times Co. says if unions don't cooperate  
>> with
>> concessions, The Boston Globe will shut down.
>>
>> http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/04/times_co_threat.html
>>
>> This may not happen, since the unions seem willing to save jobs at  
>> this
>> point.
>>
>> If it did, how do you think advertising in the radio/TV market  
>> would be
>> affected? Would local newscasts gather from an influx of ad  
>> dollars? IMHO,
>> no.
>>
>>
>>
>>