Defeat for the MSM
The Times today declares in a series of adverts that it is going to scrap its Compact (read Tabloid) version after less than two years of production, instead only producing a 'minute-by-minute updated daily weblog', i.e. a Blog.
The press release quotes the Chairman of Times' Newspaper Group:
The success of the Compact has opened our eyes to alternative newspaper forms. Clearly Blogging is taking over from the Mainstream Media as readers focus on accuracy, research and neutrality, all things that Blogs deliver and the MSM does not. Furthermore unlike other newspapers who have a complementary Blog we believe that the savings in distribution, newsprint and journalists will allow us to invest heavily in our content. These are exciting Times for newspapers.
The new Blog will run six days a week. The Sunday Times will also from Sunday April 3rd only produce in an online format, however it will come in 12 separate Blogs and a colour one.
The Editor of the Times noted:
After 200 hundred years of history the last ever "dead-trees" version of the Times will be produced today on April 1st 2005. As we move over to the Blog readers can rest assured that our unrivalled team of journalists will remain to bring you the best in news, sport and comment. With the addition of David Aaranovitch to our stable they should have no difficulties to adapting to the unique journalistic values of the Blogosphere. These are exciting Times for newspapers.
posted by Matthew @ 4/01/2005 08:24:00 AM
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