Are mainstream newspapers losing circulation fast?

[Dr.Phool]

I just had to ask. On Feb 1st, my subscription to the St. Pete Times expired. I normally renew and pay annually. They continued to send me the paper for 2 months after that, and kept sending letters saying they were going to stop delivering unless I paid. Well Duhh.

I sent them a nice (not) LTTE explaining that I had enjoyed the Times in the past, but since a new editor arrived in May, the paper had taken a decided right-wing slant, and my favorite columnists, such as Paul Krugman were no longer published, I had no intention of renewing. I also told them about their embarrassingly poor coverage of the local elections. I worked on campaigns, and worked the polls on election day, and the average voter had no clue as to who the local candidates were.

Now, they're calling, and I can subscribe for half the normal subscription rate. I told them until they started printing news, and started presenting REAL balanced coverage, they can keep their paper.

Anybody else notice this trend?

[bryant69]

1. The decline of the daily newspapers has been going on for some time

I believe. And it's only going to accelerate, what with the available news content on the web (for free, no less).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Ravenseye]

2. It's all about circulation and advertising.

I've noticed it for years. I think it's been a problem for most papers for the past 30 years or so, at least 20.

There are ways you can exploit it with magazines as well and outlets you can get magazines through (usually charities so you're doing good work as well) to get mags at almost nothing. I've had other magazines keep coming to me for years after I stopped paying. Probaly because they need to have higher 'circulation' numbers sot hat they can get more from advertisers.

Same thing with local papers. If they dont' have circulation they don't make money. What you pay to buy th epaper is nothing compared to adverstising dollars.

[hadrons]

3. I sometimes have to travel to Jersey from NYC ....

and I take NJ Suburbian and I notice that there are free papers on the bus ... too bad its the NY Post :puke:

[acmejack]

4. I think it is telling that they are constantly restating circulation

as a result of using inflated numbers. Several major papers have had to do so recently.

[PATRICK]

5. Critical unmass and educating advertisers

First in any service that thrives by a large network there is a critical loss, not necessarily a total or even obviously crippling shrinkage that causes the whole system to implode.

The US Postal System for example might, given predictable by halting digital communications, lose enough of its paper business to make the large network of distribution plants and offices untenable for national service. First it would have to retreat to subsidies or raise prices so denial could drag on some time.

The Armed Forces predictably are suffering recruitment loss. It does not have to be large to create immense problems and policy implosion though it too can be dealt with and masked for a declining term.

The Stock market cannot be sustained if their is a degree of investor flight even if perversely many investors are too greedy, delusional or plain scared to withdraw. It only takes a percentage drop though they strive mightily to mask it with other factors.

Newspapers, almost wedded to the fate of the Postal Service with the mailing breaks they get worldwide as as doomed by digital progress as anything else as they mask this by trying not to offend dwindling readership and thus make themselves unworthy to move into the vital world of real news online.

Most masking efforts to obscure the approach of peak mass are destructive themselves but absolutely required by the dinosaurs who rule the roost.

But, just as global warming and peak oil are inescapable with inevitable large consequences for everyone, so too more persistent truth education to advertisers caught in the destructive masking and downward spiral should be done. There are better alternatives everywhere and progress is on the march. Someday denial will really only sound like a river in Egypt.

Businesses had better be globally and broadly educated about the motion toward the future and tie all these things together.