1. Comment by Toby Constantine on 28/08/2006
newspapers have the brand strength, the quality content and the marketing advantage of the printed product not only to survive but to flourish.
time will tell but dont write them them off
28/08/2006 | Posted by Nick Tatt in Latest thinking | Comments: (10)
The Economist has once again raised the question about the future of newspapers and whether they have a place in this digital age. With most papers now providing a comprehensive online edition how are readers choosing to consume their news and how can publishers deal with the problem?
The Economist seems to think that it is only a question of time before newspapers start to shut down under the pressure of falling readership and advertising revenue. The most striking claim in this article, I think, is that “Over the next few decades half the rich world’s general papers may fold”. It is possible that some will fold over the coming years; partly due to reduced advertising revenue as advertisers increasingly target online audiences; and partly due to the fact that the more people are choosing to consume their news online.
It’s clear to see how online news sources have a lot of advantages over their print siblings. Online news is able to react a lot quicker to emerging stories: often providing a running commentary as events unfold. Most online news sources are also able to provide some background information surrounding current affairs. The benefits of digital archives and tagging allow online publishers to build associations between articles in a way that is difficult in traditional print newspapers or magazine publishing. Digital archives or tags allow comprehensive associations of topics and events to be built up over time that can be referenced with ease. By building up these archives it also allows digital publishers to generate incremental revenue historic articles as well as current ones.
It is probably a little early to declare the end of print newspapers. Readers of newspapers and magazines still like to engage with the physical product. The act of sitting down with a newspaper, or magazine, and a coffee is clearly a different experience to consuming the fast, easily digestible onscreen editions. However, the Economist cites Philip Meyer’s book ”The Vanishing Newspaper“ in which he calculates that the first quarter of 2043 will be the moment when American newspapers finally cease to exist!
Tagged: Newspapers
1. Comment by Toby Constantine on 28/08/2006
newspapers have the brand strength, the quality content and the marketing advantage of the printed product not only to survive but to flourish.
time will tell but dont write them them off
2. Comment by Nick Tatt on 28/08/2006
Toby, I think you are right about newspapers strenght’s. It will be interesting to see how these are developed to cope with the digital landscape they now have to compete in. I’m not as pessimistic as Meyer about the demise of the print editions: I’m sure we’ll still be able to pick up a newspaper in 2043 but I’m not sure what it will feature.
3. Comment by Preethi on 30/05/2008
Though we talk about digital age and online news paper, i would prefer sitting and reading in the printed one with a coffee. It takes out the monotonous in the life.
4. Comment by free classifieds website on 06/06/2008
Well, future of newspaper is no different than it is now. All the newspapers are having online editions and making money from online advertising and classified ads. Easy and additional source of revenue
5. Comment by classifieds on 07/06/2008
newspapers are pretty much same as the way it has been before. they serve news and make money from ads. i don;t see anything being different in the future
6. Comment by Jennifer on 16/07/2008
I don’t think that newspapers will lose the grace. There are people who reads only on paper and not online even if it’s available.
http://theclickdepot.com
7. Comment by Boris Koregon on 24/07/2008
I have thought about this quite a bit myself. Nearly every newspaper I read is also online as well. So each article they write has the oppportunity for online and in print advertisers. So in a sense the print business gave newspapers a great beach head to go online. I think the good newspapers will survive as long as they evolve with the times.
8. Comment by Per on 26/07/2008
I feel like it’s a moment of peace to read the paper in the morning, so I really don’t think it will go away anyway soon.
/Per, giftoverload.com
9. Comment by Sheila Sultani on 30/07/2008
I think that most people who read online news articles probably also read in print - I check online news during the day, for breaking news and up-to-date info. But, I wouldn’t be able to make it through my workout everyday without my magazines!