BOSTON AD SKID CHILLS TIMES (12% revenue decline the worst of major newspaper groups)

NY POST ^ | 3/23/06 | KEITH J. KELLY

[Liz]

SULZBERGER No cutbacks.

The New York Times Company yesterday warned of a first-quarter slump, pinning the blame squarely on weak advertising business at the Boston Globe and other Times-owned papers in the region.

The warning came as company chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. planned a trip to Boston next week, creating anxiety in the newsrooms of the Globe and other New England Newspaper Group papers.

The company had said last year that it planned to cut 500 jobs companywide, primarily in the fourth quarter of 2005 and the begining of 2006.

The warning was a "disaster," according to Ed Atorino, an analyst at Benchmark Inc. "The Boston Globe seems to be having some major problems in help wanted, retail, across the board."

Atorino said the group's 12 percent decline in February ad revenue was "probably the worst of any major newspaper group."

The Times said that job reductions will cost $8 million to $10 million in the first quarter that ends March 31.

[CFC__VRWC]

Reporting is hard work. It involves going out and covering events, writing things down, getting names right. It's tough. Editorial writers never have to leave their comfy office, and they usually get paid better.

If there's any difference between editorial writing and what passes for reporting these days, I surely can't see it.

[TYVets]

,,,,, if the trend continues, one or both of these just might go under!!!!

I would not be deeply sadden if that were to happen.