The Rapid Ongoing Demise of Newspapers

The Internet and World Wide Web have paid a heavy toll on newspapers, and the largely successful business model followed by print media for over a century is rapidly coming to a full demise. In the last year or so several newspapers have gone defunct, and an increasingly larger number of papers, some that have a strong history and eminence, are seriously imperiled as well. It would not be a stretch to see as many as 30 - 50 newspapers die and cease publishing in 2009. The newspapers in Detroit have announced they will go to a three day a week home delivery schedule instead of the full seven, with only limited editions available at newsstands, stores, and in dispensing machines. It would appear this is a stop-gap approach and doomed to a quick failure. Advertising would be sharply cut in such a delivery plan, which also has to be mean staff cuts and reductions would become essential quickly, creating a perpetuating downward spiral for the publications. A prosperous successful business model for the 21st century for newspapers utilizing the internet is yet to emerge, and one wonders if one does exist. If not, a dismal future awaits publishers, journalists, and readers very soon.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Report-Detroit-papers-likely-apf-13823480.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/business/media/13free.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1229284939-5Kufp9AvjWvYA4AHEDVTxQ

http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_11222657

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