My Conclusion

This posting will be short and sweet. The basis of my conclusion comes from the information I got from the experts I interviewed (thanks again) and my own research.

I think large media market newspapers can and should charge for their websites but the sites need to be worth the money to the consumer. Papers that are just posting stories need to embrace video, audio, chats, photo galleries and other interactive tools for the readers -- basically all the bells and whistles). You want to keep the audience on your site so that the page views increase, therefore building up a better chance to get an increase in advertising revenue. The best models for interactive newspaper websites are The New York Times and The Washington Post.

In addition, to complement the websites, each paper should continue production of the print edition (drastically reduced), perform an evaluation of the pros and cons of home delivery, and print a watered down 10 to 16 page tabloid style daily edition geared towards subway and bus commuters. The charge, if any, should be under a dollar. The Washington Post has a publication, which is free, that follows this model called The Express. These mini-papers would also a good tool to drive readers to the paper's websites.

Medium and small media market newspapers need to consider printing a weekend edition for delivery and online only during the week for subscribers. The weekend editions should focus on extensive projects, a weekly roundup, and community reporting.

If I have to subscribe for content, I would want it to be something similar to a cable television contract. There would be a basic (1-3 websites of my choice), premium (4-6 websites), and platinum (10 or more websites) choices. The idea came to me on a couple of levels. First, because I have an app on my iPhone called News Addict, which has 42 major news websites (there are two similar apps -- Newspapers and NewsPools for fellow iPhone users). And second (and more importantly), from a "passport plan" suggestion from Jeff South's interview for this blog. Actually, I should give Jeff most of the credit, I just basically tweaked his passport plan.

Although I get 95 percent of my news from the Internet, I hope newspapers never die and I honestly don't think that they will -- I think a better word for what will happen in the coming years to print media is evolution.


Side note from the author:
I did state in my first posting that I am not a fan of blogs but this experience has enlightened me. While I do still feel like blogs need to have accountability, rather than being a diary entry, I enjoyed researching and finding interviews for this. During my holiday break, I am going to come up with a new format and subject matter to continue this blog. Thanks to everyone who read this blog and comeback soon.
Robb Crocker