Daily Newspapers No More
In 2009, during the worst year of the recession, it seemed as if most newspapers were destined to fold. More than 100 publications went out of business that year due to decreasing advertising and subscription revenues. Those that remained had to rework their business models, which for some included a reduction in frequency for the print edition and multiple staff reductions.
During the past two years, newspapers have mostly gotten by with continued staff reductions and other cost-savings measures to stay in business, but nothing approaching the carnage of 2009 has returned. Until today.
News today of the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune’s planned reduction to three print editions per week was followed by news of a similar cutback at several other dailies in the Gulf Coast states. Starting every morning with the local paper waiting on your front porch will no longer be part of the life in these cities, and it’s likely a sign of things to come.
The journalists who remain will continue to cover news in these markets and across the country, but today is a sobering reminder that while things are better than they were in 2009, the newspaper industry is far from impervious to future turmoil. Let’s hope newspapers can find a business model that works so we aren’t faced with more days like today in the near future.
-Chris McMurry, VP, Public Relations Director



