Posted on 12/03/2009 5:24:34 AM PST by abb
Acting Publisher Jonathan Slevin on Wednesday announced plans for a "new" Washington Times that will focus more narrowly on its core areas of coverage while operating with a deeply reduced work force.
"We will focus on our strengths -- exclusives, in-depth reporting, politics, enterprise stories, geostrategic and national news, plus cultural reporting based on traditional values," Mr. Slevin said at a meeting of the newspaper's editorial and support staff who were warned to expect "significant staff reductions" within 60 days.
All employees were handed letters advising them that at least 40 percent of the workforce will be laid off in the coming weeks. The cuts are necessary for the newspaper "to keep pace with the dynamically changing economics of the news business," Mr. Slevin said.
Mr. Slevin, who also serves as acting president of The Washington Times, also said the paper would shift from its current subscription-based model to a controlled circulation model where newspapers will be distributed free of charge in key locations aimed at Washington policy- and opinion-makers.
Home delivery will continue to be available at a premium price, he said. Current subscribers will be offered the electronic edition, the national weekly edition or other options.
"The new Washington Times will continue to focus on fearless reporting, crisp editorials and traditional American values," Mr. Slevin said. "We are a 21st-century media company, refocusing as a provider of insight in the nation's capital. We are reshaping operations to keep pace with the news business."
The mission of The Times, Mr. Slevin told employees, is "to provide an independent, alternative voice," delivered on the multiple platforms of the contemporary press, including digital, print and broadcast formats.
Like many news organizations, The Times is facing a challenging financial scenario.
snip
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
ping
How many jobs does that count as saved or created?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120203295.html
Washington Times cuts in staff, coverage cue new era
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107104574569570797550520.html
How Google Can Help Newspapers
http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/12/globes_largest_2.html?s_campaign=8315
Globe’s largest union expels its president
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704107104574573402099422762.html
Comcast, GE Strike Deal; Vivendi to Sell NBC Stake
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703735004574572392440509168.html
Comcast May Test New ‘Windows’ for Movies on Cable
“We will focus on our strengths — exclusives, in-depth reporting, politics, enterprise stories, geostrategic and national news, plus cultural reporting based on traditional values,” Mr. Slevin said at a meeting of the newspaper’s editorial and support staff”
Yeah, every paper keeps saying this, than we open the paper and it doesn’t hold our interest longer than the time it takes to turn the pages. (Usually, about 30 seconds.)
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/04/business/media/04nbc.html?hp
Comcast Gets NBC From G.E., Reshaping the TV Industry
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/business/media/03nbc.html?ref=business
In Secret Meetings, Comcast Wooed G.E. and Won NBC
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/us/politics/03radio.html?ref=business
Black Caucus Seeks to Ease Radio’s Woes
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-comcast4-2009dec04,0,7144558.story
Comcast strikes deal to buy NBC Universal from GE
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-burke3-2009dec03,0,575935.story
For Steve Burke, Comcast job is the role of his life
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-hiltzik3-2009dec03,0,2652409.column
Stakes rising for cable TV firms and content providers
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/12/comcast-goes-on-offensive-in-dc-.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+newsandbuzz+(News+%26+Buzz)
Comcast goes on offensive in D.C.
It defies logic that anyone interested in ‘news’ would look at something printed yesterday to determine what’s going on today.
Obits? OK.
Sales at the mall? OK.
Current weather? News? Not so much.
http://www.gannettoid.com/index.html
Will more furloughs follow?
http://www.niemanlab.org/2009/12/on-transparency-objectivity-and-the-near-occasion-of-subjectivity/
On transparency, objectivity, and the near occasion of subjectivity
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=118420
FCC Considers Allocating TV Spectrum For Wireless Broadband
Kind of sad. The Washington Times used to provide a good counter balance to the liberal Washington Post.
The WaPo article is sleazy in its overt gloating and constant reference to Rev Moon running the paper. . .getting the facts wrong, as per usual.
Yep, the paper looks more like a Cliff Note version of an old scap book than real breaking news.
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004049802
SPECIAL REPORT: Are ‘Accidental’ Newspaper Owners and Outside Financiers Up to the Task?
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/407448-Comcast_NBCU_Opposition_Lines_Up.php
Comcast-NBCU: Opposition Lines Up
Free Press, Consumer Federation of America and smaller cable operators voice concerns about deal
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/400709-FiOS_Expands_International_Fare_With_World_TV.php
FiOS Expands International Fare With World TV
Adds three channels from GlobeCast division
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/400885-CEA_CTIA_Ask_FCC_to_Reallocate_Spectrum_to_Wireless_Broadband.php
CEA, CTIA Ask FCC to Reallocate Spectrum to Wireless Broadband
Letter warns commission of “looming spectrum crisis”
http://realclearpolitics.blogs.time.com/2009/12/02/cnn-missing-dobbs/
CNN: Missing Dobbs
http://www.buzzmachine.com/
Get off the lawn
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/dec/03/google-josh-cohen
Google’s Josh Cohen: Publishers still need us, and we give them control
http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/
Comcast/GE/NBCU Transaction Details
http://www.reuters.com/article/GlobalMedia09/idUSTRE5B15PI20091203
Don’t expect same Oprah show: Discovery
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6839fb26-df8b-11de-98ca-00144feab49a.html
Google set to enter UK property market
http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/12/02/time-inc-digital-magazine/
Time Inc’s “Manhattan Project” Is A Tablet Magazine
Pretty strong evidence it'd seem so.
I'd wager there's a cultural element here, one of the facets making up the whole behind 'the' reason.
There's technology, people simply not reading much, of anything, anymore. Content. Overhead etc.
To use a smarmy term?
The perfect storm.
Reading the Wash Times and drinking a cup of coffee is my morning ritual and I really like the paper.
I must say it took a turn for the mediocre when Wesley Pruden retired and the new Editor started filling space with AP and Reuters crap.
It still prints all the facts rather than printing only the convenient ones like the WaPo does.
I do not like reading news papers on line so I will have to see how this shakes out.
What Comcast is buying (IMO), is NBC/U’s content. Old movies, old tv shows, etc. NBC as a “network” will fade away. In fact, with this purchase, you could say it is already gone. You can be sure that whatever ain’t making money will be snuffed. That’s why I still say Network News (ABCCBSNBC) is living on borrowed time. The news divisions don’t make money.
Comcast has to figure out how to make money from this content. They could try locking it up and rationing it out to viewers for a fee. But that’s problematic as file sharing can blow that out of the water. The music industry tried that and failed miserably.
I don’t have a clue as to how they’ll turn this into a money machine like it used to be when they controlled distribution. And I suspect they don’t either.
And I still maintain that the concept of TV “networks” as we have perceived them to be all our lives is kaput.
Originally it was called “chain broadcasting.”
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles09/advertising-11.shtml
Spot Versus Chain Broadcasting
I used to like the paper version. But now I race downstairs every morning to log on to FR to see what is REALLY going on. When I hear the paper delivery boy go by on the street in the morning, I always pride myself in having read everything I need to know before he drives by.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/03/comcast-youre-in-the-news-business-now/
Comcast, You’re in the News Business Now
Exactly what Turner did acquiring MGM.
His nets TCM, TBS, TNT had an instant film library only this takes the idea a quantum level higher what-with game shows, soaps etc.
"NBC as a 'network' will fade away. In fact, with this purchase, you could say it is already gone."
Fascinating take abb, to say the least.
I'd have thought just because the denizens occupying the executive suites changed, everything from there down would remain the same. Of course there'd be adjustment(s) en-route, but basically to the cogs there'd be no appreciable difference in day to day operations.
"You can be sure that whatever ain’t making money will be snuffed."
One of the 'adjustments' I suggested? LOL
"That’s why I still say Network News (ABCCBSNBC) is living on borrowed time. The news divisions don’t make money."
OK, how about the shouting shows, specifically NBC-U's shake-n-bake MSNBC & their entire staff?
"Comcast has to figure out how to make money from this content."
Wouldn't one have thought [that] was a forgone conclusion? What CC was bidding for, knowing they had ideas of what to do with it before bidding began? OK I may be thick, devoid of any business acumen whatsoever, but, these are corporate bigwigs with all minimally holding MBAs, too.
"They could try locking it up and rationing it out to viewers for a fee. But that’s problematic as file sharing can blow that out of the water. The music industry tried that and failed miserably."
Well then WTH would pursue something made by NBC, regardless what it is or how they had to acquire it?
Not I. LOL
"I don’t have a clue as to how they’ll turn this into a money machine like it used to be when they controlled distribution. And I suspect they don’t either."
Maybe, you're usually either correct or damned close.
That said what's to stop CC from simply returning NBC to providing enjoyable programming, selling ad time & dumping the 'attitude' that seems to have come when Immelt took the reigns? Seems to me Immelt's the problem. Get rid of Immelt & ya get rid of his influence & all those who made it possible.
In any event sure will be an interesting story to watch evolve.
"And I still maintain that the concept of TV “networks” as we have perceived them to be all our lives is kaput...Originally it was called 'chain broadcasting.'"
"Spot Versus Chain Broadcasting"
Not ashamed to admit that article kind of had my head swimming. LOL
Would've guessed the issue(s) of spot versus network settled years ago. That is one's better for one type of audience, the other for another. Apparently I guessed wrong. LOL
Then there's Clear Channel's Limbaugh Show.
I understand it's radio, but, are the two mediums that different? Point being if there's something people really want? They'll find it, make whatever adjustment(s) necessary. I feel the same holds true for television, regardless the mode of delivery. The A#1 problem is, to me, TV's all garbage; hence, the disinterest & certainly such is the case in our home.
Think of it this way. The reason “broadcasting” - ink on paper and electronic - was a money machine was because they OWNED the DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM. Their content ALWAYS sucked. It’s just that since they controlled the pipeline, that’s all we got and we didn’t know better.
All different now. Much content. Much news. Much opinion. Much entertainment.
Competition they never had.
It’s all about the distribution, the chain, the network.
I’ll chime in. Comcast is a leftist company that resisted Fox News for years till subscribers stormed their doors.
Comcast will turn NBC into a left wing propaganda organ.
Damn, Bert. They're flush up against the flange now. How can they go further?
"I’ll chime in."
About time. LOL!!
"Comcast is a leftist company that resisted Fox News for years till subscribers stormed their doors."
Oh?
Heard what Comcast tried pulling on DirecTV, right?
Comcast tried gouging DTV for their Versus network; so, DTV removed Versus from the lineup. Sent all us subscribers a very frank email stating the case.
bert, could it --possibly-- be Comcast wanted to gouge FNC, too? The mo sounds awfully similar something beyond the normal purview of the subscribers. Just wondering.
"Comcast will turn NBC into a left wing propaganda organ."
Ahhhhhh, *turn it into*???
LOL!!!!!!! :o)
Be an awfully short transition, bert. ;^)
OTOH let's say Comacast ratchets-up MSNBC, I mean really pours on the coals to the loser net.
You'll have hit the proverbial bulls-eye.
OK, so we've 1 "Move'er Liberal" with abb abstaining, for now, and I preferring to remain anonymous. LOL ;^)
http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/1209/New_WH_pool_rotation_sparks_debate.html
New WH pool rotation sparks debate
http://www.slate.com/id/2237247/
Par for the Course
Wondering why that important fact of life's eluded me.
Because it's really no more difficult than: They own the wire & control all across it. {doink!} :^)
In 0bama-math every employee laid off creates an opening so that counts as a job created and the lay-offs and openings cancel each other out. Those employees still working count as jobs saved.
Because it was all we ever knew all our lives. Think about it - COMMUNICATIONS IS THE HUMAN CONDITION. And if someone or something can control what, how and when that communication takes place, that my friend is TOTAL POWER.
The very first internet - the Semaphore Telegraph - was government owned. They were the only entity that could afford it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphore_line
Free use of the printing press caused the American Revolution. Had not our rebel ancestors been able to communicate and propagandize, we wouldn't be here.
Had not Martin Luther been able to print and distribute his 95 Theses, there would be no Protestant Religion.
Every step of freedom the Human Race has taken has been caused/accompanied by a corresponding expansion of the ability to communicate.
And that's why we ain't seen nothing yet. The internet will cause more freedom to break out more widely among more people than anytime since the dawn of mankind.
And that's why "they" are so scared of it.
http://www.telegram.com/article/20091203/NEWS/912030696/1116
Second suitor looks at T&G
http://www.cjr.org/behind_the_news/bringing_it_all_back_home.php?page=all
Bringing It All Back Home
The Washington Post closes its last remaining national bureaus
You're correct.
So, we all have to know "they" will have to muzzle this Internet thing sooner or later, then.
It's inevitable.
Call me Pollyanna, but I don't think they can do it or they would have already done so. I think it got ahead of them, just like the printing press did.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/408004-Comcast_NBCU_For_Comcast_Deal_Is_All_About_Cable.php
Comcast-NBCU: For Comcast, Deal Is All About Cable
No big changes for Hulu
http://www.newspaperdeathwatch.com/
Glass Half-Full Theory
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004050552
Fitch Ratings Expects Some Top Newspaper Sites to Try Paid Content in 2010 — and Fail
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1004050483
Most ‘Washington Times’ Circulation Will Be Free Under New Plan
bump
“So, we all have to know “they” will have to muzzle this Internet thing sooner or later, then.
It’s inevitable.”
They may try to control it, but if that fails they may try to overwhelm it with propaganda worldwide.
They may try to control it, but if that fails they may try to overwhelm it with propaganda worldwide
Pollyanna. {g}
If anyone's falling for the Forer effect, it'd be me. LOL
"...but I don't think they can do it or they would have already done so."
Patience. LOL
Should the present ilk be foiled on HC, C&T and then their Immigration schemes while thinking they were so close? They'll be out for blood. Just you watch.
"I think it got ahead of them, just like the printing press did."
I pray you're correct.
You've been correct about most everything else, abb; but, this is about raw power, as you've said & I now get.
However both R & D will not share their powers. Have they ever, before?
As I said & sincerely meant, praying you're correct.
Some claim they, now.
But it's more the fault of PERL than the men in black. LOL!!
"New ones could be created but these new sites could be identified with computer word searches and quickly targeted as well. All of this could be done covertly, perhaps even as only an annoyance to reduce the sites effectiveness, maybe veiled as web attacks from foreign countries. This would fit the liberal left modus operandi rather well."
Don't make the mistake of believing only the Left would enjoy muzzling the Internet, my friend. A mistake.
Wouldn't it be a lot easier to create a situation whereby it'd appear 'obvious' controls were needed for the Internet? ;^)
Look to Weimar Republic of Germany for all manner of stunts & shenanigans employed to get the thinking of the republic "right" for the Nazis. Legislation severely limiting the Internet, specifically content, can easily be manipulated.
Easier yet a pair of wire cutters? LOL
"They" have the print media. "They" have the broadcast media. Think "they'd" like the Internet?
I'm not certain how easy that would be to accomplish, or exactly what they could say that would rise to that level. I hope I don't find out.
Oh?
Let's play a game.
I'll print a series of words, you think about 'em.
That's it.
Sort of a Rorschach inkblot test, minus ink blots, just words or short phrases.
Okay?
>Barack Hussein Obama.
>Joe Biden
>Global Warming, or AGW
>TARP.
>Nobel PP for Obama
>Nobel PP for AlBore
>Cap and Trade
>General Motors
>Chrysler Corporation
>'Carbon Credits'
>Immigration 'Reform'
>Healthcare 'Reform'
>'Fairness Doctrine'
>Czars
>Timothy Geithner
That's enough, all recent enough events, right?
Have at it, and, have some fun. LOL ;^)
"I hope I don't find out."
Oh you'll find out alright, we'll all find out.
We're all in the, "front row" as Bob Uecker liked to say? LOL
I see. You asked: "I'm not certain how easy that would be to accomplish, or exactly what they could say that would rise to that level."
Look at each item on the list, ask yourself what you asked me but with a couple juxtaposioned words, like this: "I'm not certain how easy hard that would be to accomplish, or exactly what they could say said that would rise to that level make the listed items possible."
Never-mind, my friend.
Suffice to say if they want the Internet, they'll get the Internet. 'k? ;^)
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