Comments on: It’s a failure; let’s double it! http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/14/chicago-tribune-tabloid/ Can you think of a better name? Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:36:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: James http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/14/chicago-tribune-tabloid/comment-page-1/#comment-58649 James Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:44:34 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/?p=3668#comment-58649 Look to the UK. A couple of years ago almost all national broadsheets shifted to tabloid format, but did it in very different ways. The Independent was the first (and quite the bravest) by commencing a trial of the broadsheet and then switching over entirely in one move. The Times, perhaps propped up by the deeper pockets of News International, took longer running two concurrent formats like the Chicago Tribune. However the costs of this dual mode operation were unsustainable, and the newspaper finally shifted after much hullabaloo. If a newspaper is committed to cutting costs and considers moving to tabloid the way forward, it should just change over. Running an expensive "trial" or dual-format operation just emphasises readers' disapproval or approval and costs money. Eventually, even sworn broadsheet lovers like myself end up admitting it's a damn site easier to read in bed or the subway. Look to the UK. A couple of years ago almost all national broadsheets shifted to tabloid format, but did it in very different ways. The Independent was the first (and quite the bravest) by commencing a trial of the broadsheet and then switching over entirely in one move. The Times, perhaps propped up by the deeper pockets of News International, took longer running two concurrent formats like the Chicago Tribune. However the costs of this dual mode operation were unsustainable, and the newspaper finally shifted after much hullabaloo.

If a newspaper is committed to cutting costs and considers moving to tabloid the way forward, it should just change over. Running an expensive "trial" or dual-format operation just emphasises readers' disapproval or approval and costs money. Eventually, even sworn broadsheet lovers like myself end up admitting it's a damn site easier to read in bed or the subway.

]]> By: Jean Naimard http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/14/chicago-tribune-tabloid/comment-page-1/#comment-58578 Jean Naimard Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:54:32 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/?p=3668#comment-58578 Why can’t I stand reading a broadsheet (it’s impractical, and I still can’t fathom how west-islanders are able to fold and refold the papers they read on the commuter train) while I won’t be caught dead reading a tabloïd???? Now, a newspaper has managed to combine both peeves of mine!!!! Why can’t I stand reading a broadsheet (it’s impractical, and I still can’t fathom how west-islanders are able to fold and refold the papers they read on the commuter train) while I won’t be caught dead reading a tabloïd????

Now, a newspaper has managed to combine both peeves of mine!!!!

]]> By: adam hartung http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/14/chicago-tribune-tabloid/comment-page-1/#comment-58509 adam hartung Thu, 15 Jan 2009 03:46:26 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/?p=3668#comment-58509 Sam Zell refused to accept that the internet had changed competition. Now readers can get more news faster and cheaper on the web - and Tribune Corporation has simply ignored the shift. Lowering paper cost will not save the Chicago Tribune and LA Times. It will take a new leader, and a new strategy. Likewise, making employees work for free is no solution for the market shifts making USAToday and Gannett less viable. Read more at http://www.ThePhoenixPrinciple.com Sam Zell refused to accept that the internet had changed competition. Now readers can get more news faster and cheaper on the web - and Tribune Corporation has simply ignored the shift. Lowering paper cost will not save the Chicago Tribune and LA Times. It will take a new leader, and a new strategy. Likewise, making employees work for free is no solution for the market shifts making USAToday and Gannett less viable. Read more at http://www.ThePhoenixPrinciple.com

]]> By: Tim Burden http://blog.fagstein.com/2009/01/14/chicago-tribune-tabloid/comment-page-1/#comment-58402 Tim Burden Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:29:54 +0000 http://blog.fagstein.com/?p=3668#comment-58402 Where is Chicagoland? I'm thinking it's a mob and tommy-gun themed fun park in south Florida. Where is Chicagoland? I'm thinking it's a mob and tommy-gun themed fun park in south Florida.

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