Posted by Eric Ranchez on August 03, 2009 at 19:30:25:
There is a blogsite called "Reflections of a Newsosaur" that talks about the newspaper industry. Today the site talks about Chicago's two main newspapers. Here is the opening snippet of the blog, but the entire piece can be read at the links below:
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Sun-Times sags in Chi-town showdown
Like a pair of proud but over-the-hill prizefighters, the Sun-Times and Tribune are slugging it out in a deadly duel to determine who will remain standing as the sole daily in Chicago.
Both newspapers are operating under Chapter 11 protection and both have seen far better days in terms of circulation and advertising sales. But it's hardly a fair fight. With an overwhelming advantage in weight, reach and stamina, the Tribune almost certainly is going to win.
Sooner rather than later, the recession, the secular decline in newspaper advertising and a legacy of dysfunctional management will kill the feisty Sun-Times, leaving the Trib alone to serve a metropolitan area of nearly 9.8 million souls.
It's sad but true: Even in a town as big, bold and vigorous as the Windy City, there evidently is no longer enough business to support more than one metro daily.
The Tribune already dominates the market, selling 501,202 daily papers to 312,141 for the Sun-Times, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, an industry-funded group. On Sunday, the day of the week that traditionally produces half of a newspaper's advertising revenues, Trib circulation thumps the Sun-Times by a threefold margin of 858,256 to 254,379.
On the web, the Tribune outdraws the Sun-Times by nearly 2 to 1. The Tribune attracted 4.8 million unique visitors in June vs. 2.8 million for the Sun-Times, according to Editor and Publisher.
Read the rest of the blog @ http://newsosaur.blogspot.com/2009/08/sun-times-sags-in-chi-town-showdown.html