A year ago when asked how long the paper newspaper would survive my answer was fifteen to twenty years, with the hard copy of a newspaper generating the largest profit for most major metropolitan newspapers. When my colleagues in operations ask this same question today my answer has changed dramatically, as it appears the paper newspaper will go the way of the milkman, non-existent.
As I watch circulation for the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday Los Angeles Times nearing the 600,000 threshold, it becomes obvious we are concentrating on becoming a four-day per week newspaper, with many subscribers switching to the Thursday through Sunday delivery option.
After letting sixty-three pressroom employees go seven days ago many in the pressroom are left idle as six of the eight press crews are producing the newspaper at night. Many in operations at the Times are praying the newspaper will begin producing other newspapers soon for fear of another round of layoffs by June. Rumor has it the Times will begin printing two additional newspapers, will the new work arrive this month or next year is the question?
According to former Business Editor at the Los Angeles Times, Rick Wartzman:
To stop the red ink, newspapers need to get rid of the ink altogether. It's high time for online-only operations.
Kevin Roderick has written an article titled Envisioning a post-print L.A. Times that may make believers out of the naysayers that feel the printed newspaper is not dead, and never will die.
In conclusion I feel the paper newspaper at the Los Angeles Times will be put to rest when the pressmen’s union contract expires in June of 2011, if not sooner.
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