ABC News to the print industry: Drop Dead

[TigerVols]

ABC News president David Westin announced in passing in an e-mail to staff that his company will immediately drop all subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, and instead will access their products for free via the Internet.

Another nail in the coffin.

 

[HackyMcHack]

Sounds as if ABC News is having some money problems more than an f-you to print....NBC recently announced a bunch of layoffs, as well.

 

[DanOregon]

I thought this was about the ABC's new circ numbers. Down again. Not a surprise. But when you think about the trend of declining circulation set against a growing population that equals a massive decline in market penetration which is really bad news for advertising.

 

[I Digress]

Why do newspapers give their stuff away for free? Isn't that what we all should be asking?

 

[moonlight]

Why do newspapers give their stuff away for free? Isn't that what we all should be asking?

Once you let the cat out of the bag, can you put it back in?

 

[I Digress]

Why do newspapers give their stuff away for free? Isn't that what we all should be asking?

Once you let the cat out of the bag, can you put it back in?

Not mine. But every cat has a different temperament, no? :)

Seriously, I don't know. It seems a terrible misstep at this point though.

 

[trifectarich]

Hey Mr. ABC News Executive: Without newspapers, three-quarters of your local affiliates couldn't put fill a 10-minute newscast.

 

[TheSportsPredictor]

That's stupid.

He should go to cheapmagazines.com.

 

[JayFarrar]

Hey Mr. ABC News Executive: Without newspapers, three-quarters of your local affiliates couldn't put fill a 1-minute newscast.

Fixed that for you.
Even the very best stations clip articles and hand them out in news meetings.
The smaller markets. Honest to God, I have seen them read the paper in the morning to tell people what's going on.

 

[MacDaddy]

Hey Mr. ABC News Executive: Without newspapers, three-quarters of your local affiliates couldn't put fill a 10-minute newscast.

Good thing they can still get everything for free on the interweb tubes.

 

[2muchcoffeeman]

Print industry to ABC News: We know it's terminal, but do we have to rush it?

 

[mediaguy]

On behalf of print industry, I can't remember the last time I chose ABC for my national news coverage. Just huddle around "Grey's Anatomy" and everything will be OK ...

 

[Ben_Hecht]

Another grossly-unfair slight to employees. If you're doing on-air news and you're under the gun while running like a trapped rat from office to studio and back again, having full print products in hand is an ENORMOUS timesaving aid. And to deny this is
management toolitry at its worst.

 

[StaggerLee]

ABC News president David Westin announced in passing in an e-mail to staff that his company will immediately drop all subscriptions to newspapers and magazines, and instead will access their products for free via the Internet.

Another nail in the coffin.

And why wouldn't they get it for free?

If we're going to just give it away, we need to realize that many people are going to take us up on the offer.

 

[slappy4428]

Hey Mr. ABC News Executive: Without newspapers, three-quarters of your local affiliates couldn't put fill a 10-minute newscast.

And if they blocked IP addresses, there'd be a lot of fill time...

 

[SoCalScribe]

The worst is when they do stories days, often weeks after the print coverage. And those newspaper articles are in many cases days or weeks behind the news, as well.

 

[FileNotFound]

You know, we don't pay to use ABC News's product, either.

 

[SoCalScribe]

Very true. But it's easier to ignore our ads than it is to ignore theirs.

 

[ScribePharisee]

Why do newspapers give their stuff away for free? Isn't that what we all should be asking?

What's more stupid, giving it for free or giving it for free and then going to your subscribers with a rate increase?

 

[ScribePharisee]

Hi, I'm your resident CEO. Sorry I dropped into your backyard while descending on my golden parachute. My attorney said you really need to move those power lines. I'm sure he'll tell you and the utility company very soon.

Yes, I'm talking about a suit. But you might as well move out now, because personal property for anyone other than me and my colleagues won't exist in the next few years. Yes, we're looking forward to the New America, which is like Old England: Castles of the rich, shacks of the rest. I'll keep you in mind as a servant, though. You seem to know your way around lawncare.

Sincerely,
Edgar Pissoneau