The Next Wave: Free Newspapers

It is tough to compete with the internet and mobile devices. In the age of being constantly connected, the delivery of the news is bypassing the traditional newspapers. Revenue of newspaper advertising is declining and it is becoming a matter of survival:

“…Those leaning towards the free model mostly came from ‘emerging’ newspaper markets in areas such as South America, Eastern Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia where 61 per cent of respondents believed news would be free.

Respondents in Western Europe were less likely to believe in news becoming free, with 48 per cent of news executives thinking it likely, while North American editors were on par with the average.”

link: Future of newspapers is free: survey

Even in some small North American communities, the trend towards free newspapers has arrived. The newspapers carry more local advertising, with the emphasis on more regional content and in-depth commentary. However, this may just be a temporary measure as more and more content becomes available instantly via technology.

Once newspapers were a luxury that was available on a once a week (or less) basis. Perhaps the newspaper industry will come full circle in the future and become a luxury rarely seen.

Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster: http://flyinghamster.com/

Tags: news, internet, the next wave, newspapers, advertising, free, commentary