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OT: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ceasing weekday print edition
Posted on 7/15/19 at 7:18 pm
Posted on 7/15/19 at 7:18 pm
So our statewide newspaper is ceasing weekday paper delivery, continuing only the weekend edition. The subscription rate is identical for an online subscription ($34/month, $403/yr), and the owner's big plan is give everyone a free iPad to access the new paper. This seems steep to me, but I didn't know the Raleigh newspaper is $100/month, or $70/mo for the Dallas Morning News until I read this story about it. It has given out 10,000 iPads so far, and has budgeted $2 million to host trainings and make home visits to assist technology-inept readers with the transition ( ).
I don't read this paper (never really have) since for as long as I have known it, it was mostly reprints of national stories from larger papers and one or two Arkansas stories. I read a paper copy of the Wall Street Journal cover to cover almost every morning, but it actually gives me news I can't find anywhere else.
It seems like the death of print advertising is the main culprit. But their lack of interesting stories seems to have cut into the circulation a fair bit too in my conversations with others. Lord knows there is enough corrupt shite happening in Little Rock to fill pages upon pages.
I must say, for a more tech-focused delivery method, the website is hopelessly out of date. It's like they don't know there are any online webpage amenities besides a fancy paywall. It looks like a webpage from 1999, and the search is useless.
I don't know anything about the owner, but he seems like a know-it-all prick who got caught with his pants down draining the profitable business until now it's too late to reinvest and he is cutting costs and flailing wildly. Seems like he has missed the past few tricks and probably isn't right here either. I definitely get the feeling it would be better under someone else's stewardship. Sadly, he owns the rest of the in-state papers.
Thoughts?
I don't read this paper (never really have) since for as long as I have known it, it was mostly reprints of national stories from larger papers and one or two Arkansas stories. I read a paper copy of the Wall Street Journal cover to cover almost every morning, but it actually gives me news I can't find anywhere else.
It seems like the death of print advertising is the main culprit. But their lack of interesting stories seems to have cut into the circulation a fair bit too in my conversations with others. Lord knows there is enough corrupt shite happening in Little Rock to fill pages upon pages.
I must say, for a more tech-focused delivery method, the website is hopelessly out of date. It's like they don't know there are any online webpage amenities besides a fancy paywall. It looks like a webpage from 1999, and the search is useless.
I don't know anything about the owner, but he seems like a know-it-all prick who got caught with his pants down draining the profitable business until now it's too late to reinvest and he is cutting costs and flailing wildly. Seems like he has missed the past few tricks and probably isn't right here either. I definitely get the feeling it would be better under someone else's stewardship. Sadly, he owns the rest of the in-state papers.
Thoughts?
Posted on 7/15/19 at 7:59 pm to City Ham
People dont read anymore. They get all of their " news" from sources like Twitter.
This explains the state of the country.
This explains the state of the country.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 8:07 pm to City Ham
I think NWA is still going to receive a daily paper, but the rest of the state is not
Posted on 7/15/19 at 8:59 pm to City Ham
Attention span of Americans have reduced to news nuggets and tweets.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 9:07 pm to City Ham
quote:
I don't know anything about the owner, but he seems like a know-it-all prick who got caught with his pants down draining the profitable business until now it's too late to reinvest and he is cutting costs and flailing wildly. Seems like he has missed the past few tricks and probably isn't right here either.
He cares a lot about the paper and is just trying to keep it alive. Last year was the first year the paper lost money, they're seeing the writing on the wall and trying something different instead of laying everyone off or shutting down entirely. Hussman could have sold the company and walked away with his billions, but instead he's buying thousands of iPads with his own money and giving them away for free. You've got him pegged all wrong.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 9:08 pm to Hubbhogg
quote:
I think NWA is still going to receive a daily paper, but the rest of the state is not
The NWA Democrat-Gazette is a separate company.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 10:35 pm to City Ham
You can read any article you want to for free by using Chrome as your browswer and clicking "Open link in incognito window".
I have no idea why anybody would pay for news.
I have no idea why anybody would pay for news.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 10:37 pm to Hogwarts
quote:
Attention span of Americans have reduced to news nuggets and tweets.
Somewhat true. But the reality is that there is just so much information a person can take in on a daily basis.
I don't watch local news on TV because it feels like a waste of time to me. I have no idea why we have weathermen delivering weather forecasts. I have a piece of glass in my pocket that will give me the weather forecast any second of the day I want it, and will even buzz and alert me to severe weather.
Posted on 7/15/19 at 11:24 pm to wmr
quote:Truth. The same could be said for sports reporters. Back in the day you relied on Orville Henry to get you interviews from coaches. Heck, way back in the day you needed him to describe what happened in the game because few of the games were televised and you might not have been able to listen.
I have no idea why we have weathermen delivering weather forecasts. I have a piece of glass in my pocket that will give me the weather forecast any second of the day I want it, and will even buzz and alert me to severe weather.
Today - every press conference is televised. Every stat can be looked up. Every game can be watched, broke down, and evaluated on YouTube. All we need sports media for is to press record and ask the same questions that they ask every week. "How did it feel.... how does it feel.... what will it feel like blah blah blah."
You can also break news faster if you have social media and follow the right coaches, players, and fans. Plenty of us knew something was up with Pittman while our media slept. All of our offensive linemen were melting on twitter. In regards to baseball - we have a couple of fans who cover the Razorbacks better than any media member. They break down of stats. Provide high quality GIFs. And continued coverage of former Hogs in the pro ball.
The only sports media who are even remotely useful are the one's who have podcasts or radio shows - and that is only b/c they can get guests for interviews. Bo Mattingly was/is hated by our fans but his HogPod is top notch.
Posted on 7/16/19 at 11:55 am to City Ham
quote:
Thoughts?
Well shite.
The ADG is a really good newspaper. Hopefully it will thrive online.
Posted on 7/16/19 at 1:07 pm to hilltophog
Orville Henry was a real journalist.
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