Thursday, October 13, 2011

Pay Wall Coming to a Newspaper near you

Rumors from Times Mirror Square claim the Los Angeles Times will be erecting a pay wall shortly, now many have asked, “What is a pay wall?” Currently everything online at LATimes.com is free to computer users and mobile devices and the pay wall will require users to have a subscription to the hard copy of the newspaper or pay a fee for access to the online version of the newspaper using different mobile technologies. Many older readers have mentioned they prefer the hard copy of the paper, while record numbers are flocking to the online version which should give a clue to the direction we're heading.

With advertising showing a slight increase the past three weeks it may not be enough to fend off additional downsizing in Operations at the Olympic Facility, at least that’s what our senior vice-president of production is claiming when he asks my colleagues, “Do you have a plan B ready, if not you better”. This has infuriated many, even if it is the truth, the men and women working in Operations do not want to hear this from him!

As expected circulation took a hit after the price increase on Labor Day, how many you ask? I’m not allowed to mention any of the numbers or my Tribune Boss’ may get angry with me. The Los Angeles Times circulation is based on what ever the Audit Bureau of Circulation states, according to our senior vice-president of production, so the next audit will reflect the drop in readership.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

"This has infuriated many, even if it is the truth, the men and women working in Operations do not want to hear this from him!"

What do you want to hear instead of the truth?

Anonymous said...

If that statement had come from a co-worker,then I would consider it to be constructive and truthful. However, coming from a boss who has shown no empathy to your future in the past, it rather comes off disingenuous.

The truth...now that would be the circulation numbers Ed wants to publish.

Anonymous said...

How about when he told the Machinists that " All pressmen are a bunch of Buffoons and should be making half of what they make if I had my way".