Update: Gannett world — USA Today for sale?

Re: Update: Gannett world — The hammer falls in Jersey

Wish there was a "like" button on the forum.

 

Re: Update: Gannett world — The hammer falls in Jersey

 

Re: Update: Gannett world — The hammer falls in Jersey

Figure the paper's publisher and or editor might have some job hunting to do as well after that thing made the paper.

 

Based on a Gannett Blog post, this Minnesota news website takes a swing and goes ahead and writes the obit.

http://www.minnpost.com/johnreinan/2011/02/14/25707/rip_usa_today

The post is here
http://gannettblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-of-feb-7-13-your-news-comments_09.html?showComment=1297290298120#c831108987941030108

 

Wheeee! A Gannett Blog rumor!

Funny thing is that Jim is actually trying to be the voice of reason in that comment thread. Jim. The guy whose analytical skills are normally so sharp that if he were asked to assess the Washington Capitals' woes, he'd say they should be playing on grass instead of ice.

It'd be fun to dream about a more far-sighted company could do with a valuable brand name like that, but the logistics and economics seem like they'd be nearly impossible to work out. Though maybe USA TODAY could relocate to a city in which the salaries they're paying would go a little farther so they don't have staffers commuting from the affordable exurbs.

 

Without USA Today, Gannett might as well fold.

Maybe that's the plan, sell of its most valuable asset and then fold the rest of them.

 

Isn't that what many are hoping for? The Gannett papers near where I am are still valuable assets in their communities, I think. Independent ownership would be good for them, if there are still willing buyers out there (that would be a case-by-case thing).

 

The only logical explanation -- and it's not much -- is that they'd do nothing but broadcast.

I still don't understand how TV news does so well ("Action 28 News -- now starting at 4:15 a.m.!!!!"), but it's hanging around.

 

I don't quite understand what USA Today brings to the individual Gannett papers.

 

So does this basically kill the whole "Every Gannett paper will just be a USA Today wraparound" idea rumored for a long time 'round these (and other) parts?

 

What would happen to the Free Press which is operated under the USA Today division? Then there are the smaller papers that are operated under the Free Press. Should be interesting to see how this pans out.

 

This will not end well, I'm afraid.