It just brings tears to your eyes, doesn't it?
As the MSM marginalizes itself into irrelevant obscurity...
Posted on 10/20/2005 3:46:34 AM PDT by billorites
Circulation is melting away at the Boston Globe, on top of vanishing ad revenue, and the need for deep cuts is forcing closure of its national news desk and two sections within the broadsheet.
But the New York Times Co., parent company of the Globe, is standing by Globe publisher Richard Gilman and his management team – even as Morrissey Boulevard has become a drag on Times Co. earnings.
The Times Co. said yesterday its Boston paper's weekday circulation plunged by nearly 8 percent over the past six months compared to last year – dropping 35,000 copies to 416,000, despite heavy marketing and steep price discounts offered by the newspaper.
Its Sunday circulation fell by 55,000 – about 7.6 percent – to 667,000.
Circulation at the parent Times newspaper saw a slight gain during the same period, the company reported.
The Globe is also the Times' poor performer on the ad front.
Its New England Media Group – which includes the Globe and Worcester Telegram – saw ad revenue fall by 4.1 percent in September and by 2.9 percent in the third quarter, the company said.
The Times ad revenue, in contrast, climbed by 3.8 percent in September and by 2.9 percent during the third quarter.
Times Co. earnings fell by more than 50 percent in the third quarter because of higher costs and a charge related to staff cutbacks.
The company's shares fell 26 cents yesterday to a six-year low of $27.49.
Janet Robinson, chief executive of the New York Times Co., attributed the Globe's poor showing to a ``continuing softness in the Boston economy.''
Despite the Globe's drag on companywide performance, Times Co. spokeswoman Catherine Mathis said the company is standing by Gilman and his Globe management team.
The entire newspaper industry has been suffering in recent years, due to a severe advertising recession and increased competition from the Internet.
The Boston Herald, owned by the private Herald Media Inc., saw its circulation fall by about 4 percent during the past six months, half of which Herald officials say is attributable to changed ABC auditing rules.
Al Larkin, a Globe spokesman, said about half of its six-month circulation drop is due to a decision to eliminate bulk giveaways to hotels and other sponsored deliveries.
Robinson had kind words yesterday for the Herald, which is searching for new investment partners.
``We always feel it's important to have a strong competitor in the market,'' she said. ``We certainly want the Herald to have more investments and certainly to continue to be a strong competitor.''
Last month, the Times announced that it would eliminate 500 jobs companywide – about 135 of them at the Globe.
Yesterday, sources confirmed that the Globe plans to eliminate its national news department.
The unit's two reporters have reportedly been offered jobs within the metro department in the Hub newsroom. But the fate of the four editors is unclear.
Globe editor Marty Baron declined comment.
Larkin would only say the Globe is ``realigning our national desk'' and placing responsibility for national coverage under control of the 11-employee Washington bureau.
Meanwhile, the Globe is also planning to eliminate its Education section on Sundays, as well as eliminate its Life At Home as a separate section. It will be rolled into the Thursday Living section.
It just brings tears to your eyes, doesn't it?
As the MSM marginalizes itself into irrelevant obscurity...
Bored? Try 'disgusted'.
And bored.
Gee, I wonder why? . Hint to the Boston Globe and other MSM outlets: It's the bias, stupid!
The fact that they won't take this simple step to restore their buisness to profitability tells you all you need to know about their values and their agenda.
How sad! Moaning, crying, slinging nose ingredients here.
Also in the news: AOL laying off 700 employees.....more bad news from the "giants" of the media.
Do I detect a trend?
Why would the Boston Globe even need a national news department. The just re-write NY Times articles anyway.
NOT!
Too bad when these lying biased newsrags go belly up.
Take all the liberal writers and ut them is a welfare line like the rest of the pathetic ones.
Beantown is one of the few cities with more than one newspaper. In addition to the leftist Globe we have the more or less straight up Herald.
A major advantage to the Herald is that it has Howie Carr's column.
Dead-Tree Media is not news, it's history!
Liberalism is incredibly boring. There are few things more tedious than self-centered people endlessly spouting off self-righteous mantras.
Regards, Ivan
I only get the local paper for the coupons and local news. It's not that expensive, for now.
Since it's a morning paper I got all the "news" the night before or sometimes 2 days before.
But the New York Times Co., parent company of the Globe, is standing by Globe publisher Richard Gilman and his management team – even as Morrissey Boulevard has become a drag on Times Co. earnings.
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If I were Mr. Gilman, I would NOT take that as encouragement. This is the usual platitude offered before the head is placed on the chopping block.
I don't think it is simple for them, though, yes, you are right about the ultimate answer. I offer that it would be literally impossible for them to actually type just what happens without them interjecting their opinions into a story.
It's an interesting article about GLOBE in HERALD.
This shows that Boston being a democrat stronghold, is becoming illiterate like NO.
This just breaks makes my heart leap for joy! Couldn't happen to a better fishwrap!
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Fishwrap? I wouldn't commit such indignities to a fish by wrapping it in that garbage.
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