Sadly, it's true. The newspaper business made a fatal mistake by not getting into the 21st century and having on-line editions available right away for people to read off their computers. Many of the larger metropolitan were also making a 20 percent yearly profit, and when the new technology got many people, (especially those under age 35) into reading on-line rather than buying a paper, advertising revenue tumbled and major cutbacks ensued. Most Newspapers now have to temerity of not only presenting the public with a much more inferior product than was previously available, but overcharging for it. Consequently, many casual newspaper readers have given up subscribing to the paper altogether. That said, over 30 million Americans still buy or subscribe to newspapers, and that's a substantial number. Newspapers don't have the power or influence they did for several generations, but they are still a viable option for news and information for the general public
Well summed up there at 6:35pm Newspapers could not evolve. They were desperately holding on to a past that is long gone. The glory days of Woodward and Bernstein ended in 1973.
Yes - sadly, the printed newspaper has become a dinosaur. Especially sad for those of us of a certain age, for whom reading the newspaper was always a welcome ritual. For 2015, The Merc is charging an annual rate about 40% higher than last year's, arguing that "per paper", it's still a "good deal". But my comment to the (off-shore) customer service rep was "have you SEEN the paper lately? Laid on a flat surface - it's barely visible - and it's about 70% ads". If you can't afford to print a respectable paper, Merc, please stop printing it.
The Mercury sucks. It has become nothing more than a mouthpiece for city hall, and the writers are too lazy to question anything they are told. The reporting is very biased and one sided. I quit subscribing to the Mercury years ago, even before everything was online. Most of my friends have too. They are in bankruptcy and looking for a buyer, and have themselves to blame for putting out such a crappy newspaper. Good riddance.
Yeah, the Sporting Green, Sunday "pink section," Herb Caen, comics, and L.M. Boyd's Grab Bag presented fun information and a nice diversion for generations of Chronicle readers. Oh, and I suppose the headlines served a purpose too!
Ahhh, but the days of inky hands, skipping around the pages to read an article, and piles of paper waste seem to be coming to an end. Wonder what Herb would have thought?!
Agree over at 9:21am. The Monkey News is their own worst enemy. No one trusts what they write. Purely agenda driven stories. Need examples? Try their thirst to bring down the SJPD. They will write any story to promote the narrative that the San Jose Police Department practices police brutality. Say Monkey News, need a story to write? I understand the circus is coming to town.
Let's hope the online versions survive. If we have to depend on local TV and radio for original reporting then we're in trouble. Newspapers still have reporters who cover beats, and editors who read books and understand proper grammar. Ever read online stories posted by TV people? Sloppy reporting, writing, and editing. Most importantly, where would radio and TV newsrooms get their story ideas?
Up until a month or so, I subscribed to the Chronicle. They stopped delivering the daily paper to our house - this is Fremont, not Lodi. I then tried to just get the Sunday paper,but I couldn't. I dropped 'em. The Chronicle has tried calling numerous times but they lost a 30 year-subscriber. Now, I just buy the Sunday paper and various editions for certain days of the week. They didn't seem to care, so I stopped caring too.
One of my best friends was one of the first tech columnists for the Mercury (his wife is a layout editor for them too). Knight-Ridder sunk a lot of money and resources into "Mercury Online" to get it to be a pre-eminent digital paper. They concentrated on the editorial side but forgot the advertising side, in my opinion. The Merc was one of KR's most profitable papers because of the classifieds. If they had concentrated on being Craig's List instead of Salon, I think it would've been a whole different ballgame.
I've been buying the Sunday Chron for years, because of the "Pink Section" crosswords, and "Cypher" puzzles. I purchased it on Saturday, or on Sunday morning when I get my coffee and bagel.
The paper recently offered a $99/year, for Sunday only subscription. It was a $57 "plus" savings ... $3.00 at the box, $3.00 "plus tax," in a store. I signed up.
As a rule, I begin the puzzles between 6:30-7:00. On the first Sunday, I called when my paper hadn't arrived by 7:30, and was told that they don't guarantee delivery until 8:00. It came at 8:30.
I called again, explaining that a paper delivered that late was of no use to me, as I go on to other things that late in the morning. They agreed to put a note on my account that the deliverer should try to get my paper by 7. No guarantees, but they would try. It was next delivered at 8:40.
I CX'd last week.
It's probably a dilemma for them. There are few subscribers, so they're not going to hire a battery of deliverers. But, I bought papers on both of those Sundays, and I don't need two papers. It's just one more problem that's driving nails into the coffin of newspapers "as they were."
"Newspapers...are still a viable option for news and information for the general public."
Which is exactly what European readers know and why they're significantly more informed. Moreover, their newspapers and journalists are highly regarded and wield considerable clout.
Just the other day I was waxing poetically about when I used to go to bookstores and sit for hours and read, then buy a book or magazined or CD and take it home and enjoy it. A virtually non-existent experience today. Instead we have people walking around, heads down, earbuds in, "tweeting." If they bump into you they glare at you as if to say, "How DARE you interrupt my Facebook update!"
Newspapers are a relic of a bygone era. They could not keep up with modern media or new forms of communication. Leftist garbage is out of here. Thankfully!
More evidence that America is dumbing down and becoming more semi-literate. One only has to look at the rating for vapid TV programs such as 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'Survivor' to realize how far we've fallen.
Having worked in sales, advertising and marketing for over twenty five years I watched the industry die slowly right before my eyes. $3 for a Sunday paper would have been outrageous just ten years ago now it's accepted as a way to generate revenue to replace the loss of advertising. Subscriptions for papers or magazines were never money makers but with Craigslist dominating the classified segment publications need new revenue streams to survive. This is where most fall by the wayside as consumers might be willing to spend $2.50 on a magazine but will think twice at $5. Ultimately fewer publications mean fewer voices will be heard - internet of not.
I take The Chronicle and a local paper online. Who needs the paper? Except for the coupons which are also mostly online..
ReplyDeleteSadly, it's true. The newspaper business made a fatal mistake by not getting into the 21st century and having on-line editions available right away for people to read off their computers. Many of the larger metropolitan were also making a 20 percent yearly profit, and when the new technology got many people, (especially those under age 35) into reading on-line rather than buying a paper, advertising revenue tumbled and major cutbacks ensued. Most Newspapers now have to temerity of not only presenting the public with a much more inferior product than was previously available, but overcharging for it. Consequently, many casual newspaper readers have given up subscribing to the paper altogether. That said, over 30 million Americans still buy or subscribe to newspapers, and that's a substantial number. Newspapers don't have the power or influence they did for several generations, but they are still a viable option for news and information for the general public
ReplyDeleteWell summed up there at 6:35pm
DeleteNewspapers could not evolve.
They were desperately holding on to a past that is long gone.
The glory days of Woodward and Bernstein ended in 1973.
Kinda sad, but I haven't read a hardcopy newspaper in years.
ReplyDeleteYes - sadly, the printed newspaper has become a dinosaur. Especially sad for those of us of a certain age, for whom reading the newspaper was always a welcome ritual. For 2015, The Merc is charging an annual rate about 40% higher than last year's, arguing that "per paper", it's still a "good deal". But my comment to the (off-shore) customer service rep was "have you SEEN the paper lately? Laid on a flat surface - it's barely visible - and it's about 70% ads". If you can't afford to print a respectable paper, Merc, please stop printing it.
ReplyDeleteThe Mercury sucks. It has become nothing more than a mouthpiece for city hall, and the writers are too lazy to question anything they are told. The reporting is very biased and one sided. I quit subscribing to the Mercury years ago, even before everything was online. Most of my friends have too. They are in bankruptcy and looking for a buyer, and have themselves to blame for putting out such a crappy newspaper. Good riddance.
DeleteYeah, the Sporting Green, Sunday "pink section," Herb Caen, comics, and L.M. Boyd's Grab Bag presented fun information and a nice diversion for generations of Chronicle readers. Oh, and I suppose the headlines served a purpose too!
DeleteAhhh, but the days of inky hands, skipping around the pages to read an article, and piles of paper waste seem to be coming to an end. Wonder what Herb would have thought?!
Agree over at 9:21am.
DeleteThe Monkey News is their own worst enemy. No one trusts what they write. Purely agenda driven stories.
Need examples? Try their thirst to bring down the SJPD.
They will write any story to promote the narrative that the San Jose Police Department practices police brutality.
Say Monkey News, need a story to write? I understand the circus is coming to town.
Now I read the news from my smartphone while sitting on the toilet....
DeleteLet's hope the online versions survive. If we have to depend on local TV and radio for original reporting then we're in trouble. Newspapers still have reporters who cover beats, and editors who read books and understand proper grammar. Ever read online stories posted by TV people? Sloppy reporting, writing, and editing. Most importantly, where would radio and TV newsrooms get their story ideas?
ReplyDeleteMy former industry for a quarter-decade. Thank you, Google.
ReplyDeleteUp until a month or so, I subscribed to the Chronicle. They stopped delivering the daily paper to our house - this is Fremont, not Lodi. I then tried to just get the Sunday paper,but I couldn't. I dropped 'em. The Chronicle has tried calling numerous times but they lost a 30 year-subscriber. Now, I just buy the Sunday paper and various editions for certain days of the week. They didn't seem to care, so I stopped caring too.
ReplyDeleteOne of my best friends was one of the first tech columnists for the Mercury (his wife is a layout editor for them too). Knight-Ridder sunk a lot of money and resources into "Mercury Online" to get it to be a pre-eminent digital paper. They concentrated on the editorial side but forgot the advertising side, in my opinion. The Merc was one of KR's most profitable papers because of the classifieds. If they had concentrated on being Craig's List instead of Salon, I think it would've been a whole different ballgame.
ReplyDeleteCan't stand their editorial department and opinions. It's just an extension of Democratic Party talking points imo.
DeleteI've been buying the Sunday Chron for years, because of the "Pink Section" crosswords, and "Cypher" puzzles. I purchased it on Saturday, or on Sunday morning when I get my coffee and bagel.
ReplyDeleteThe paper recently offered a $99/year, for Sunday only subscription. It was a $57 "plus" savings ... $3.00 at the box, $3.00 "plus tax," in a store. I signed up.
As a rule, I begin the puzzles between 6:30-7:00. On the first Sunday, I called when my paper hadn't arrived by 7:30, and was told that they don't guarantee delivery until 8:00. It came at 8:30.
I called again, explaining that a paper delivered that late was of no use to me, as I go on to other things that late in the morning. They agreed to put a note on my account that the deliverer should try to get my paper by 7. No guarantees, but they would try. It was next delivered at 8:40.
I CX'd last week.
It's probably a dilemma for them. There are few subscribers, so they're not going to hire a battery of deliverers. But, I bought papers on both of those Sundays, and I don't need two papers. It's just one more problem that's driving nails into the coffin of newspapers "as they were."
You could have got a better deal $125 or so for 7 day from vendors at art fairs etc
Delete"Newspapers...are still a viable option for news and information for the general public."
ReplyDeleteWhich is exactly what European readers know and why they're significantly more informed. Moreover, their newspapers and journalists are highly regarded and wield considerable clout.
This image makes me very sad. Really.
ReplyDeleteJust the other day I was waxing poetically about when I used to go to bookstores and sit for hours and read, then buy a book or magazined or CD and take it home and enjoy it. A virtually non-existent experience today. Instead we have people walking around, heads down, earbuds in, "tweeting." If they bump into you they glare at you as if to say, "How DARE you interrupt my Facebook update!"
Newspapers are a relic of a bygone era.
ReplyDeleteThey could not keep up with modern media or new forms of communication.
Leftist garbage is out of here. Thankfully!
"They could not keep up with modern media or new forms of communication."
ReplyDeleteThat's odd. They certainly manage to thrive in Asia, the Middle East and parts of Europe. Maybe if you actually read one you'd know that.
More evidence that America is dumbing down and becoming more semi-literate. One only has to look at the rating for vapid TV programs such as 'Dancing with the Stars' and 'Survivor' to realize how far we've fallen.
ReplyDeleteHaving worked in sales, advertising and marketing for over twenty five years I watched the industry die slowly right before my eyes. $3 for a Sunday paper would have been outrageous just ten years ago now it's accepted as a way to generate revenue to replace the loss of advertising. Subscriptions for papers or magazines were never money makers but with Craigslist dominating the classified segment publications need new revenue streams to survive. This is where most fall by the wayside as consumers might be willing to spend $2.50 on a magazine but will think twice at $5. Ultimately fewer publications mean fewer voices will be heard - internet of not.
ReplyDelete