1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Gatehouse to Buy Boston Herald

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by Michael_ Gee, Dec 8, 2017.

  1. ChrisLong

    ChrisLong Well-Known Member

    The folks who just lost, or are about to lose, their jobs in California are going to be thrilled to hear this.
     
  2. BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo

    BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo Well-Known Member

    What a shitshow. We just gutted one of the Bay Area's big papers but we have enough to buy a Boston paper. Shitheads.
     
    ChrisLong likes this.
  3. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    This is weird.

    DFM sold its Connecticut papers last June and now they buy the Boston Herald.
     
  4. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    But at least the Californians will have company in Massachusetts. The unions have already agreed that Herald staff can be reduced from 240 to 175.

    Herald, unions reach deal over bankruptcy sale
     
  5. reformedhack

    reformedhack Well-Known Member

    Digital First might not be a treat, but at least there's a chance it will keep the doors open. Revolution Capital (one of the other bidders) bought the Tampa Tribune in 2012, promised they would be in it for the long haul but over the next three years stripped it for parts, sold the land, laid off employees and practically gave what was left to the rival Tampa Bay Times, which closed the Tribune the same day the deal closed.
     
  6. justgladtobehere

    justgladtobehere Well-Known Member

    To the extent there is a connection between the cutting of jobs in one place and buying the Herald, in the end each decision is made mostly on its own economic merits. DFM believes that there is economic value in buying the Herald and insufficient value in continuing to employ those journalists it cut across the country. Workers were cut because they didn't return sufficient profit, not because the cash they were receiving was needed to finance the purchase of the Herald.
     
  7. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    That is a sound theoretical answer that makes a lot of sense. But practice is frequently different than theory. Could DFM been looking for cash to buy the Herald and cut payroll elsewhere? Who knows?
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2018
  8. justgladtobehere

    justgladtobehere Well-Known Member

    In the end it doesn't matter whether DFM needed the cash ( and I don't think it did) because buying the Herald was a better investment, a greater return on its resources. It isn't some dastardly deed to cut employees in one place to invest money in another place that is a better investment.
     
  9. DanOregon

    DanOregon Well-Known Member

  10. wicked

    wicked Well-Known Member

  11. LanceyHoward

    LanceyHoward Well-Known Member

    Layoffs from 240 to 175 have been announced at the Hearald. This article states that it is just the beginning.

    Hello Digital First, Goodbye Boston Herald

    It states that DFM has reduced headcount in San Jose from 225 to 41. In St. Paul it has gone from 225 to 25.

    DFM's corporate strategy appears to be raise subscription prices a lot. Inertia and subscribers who would never subscribe to the lefty Globe pay the higher price for a few years. Meanwhile staff is cut. DFM pulls their money out quickly. When the paper goes bust they sell off the furniture and move on.
     
  12. wicked

    wicked Well-Known Member

    Five years from now, if there is no Herald, it’ll be a treat to see Howie Carr begging for a job from the Globe folks. Herald folks are great ... except for that asshole.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page