By gutting local advertising overnight, COVID-19 has accelerated strategies — like cutting print days, corporate consolidation, or even closing down offices — that publishers had hoped could wait a while longer.
The coronavirus pandemic is proving the value of local news to millions of readers, driving up subscriptions. But the advertising collapse is knee-buckling. “If it’s a couple of months, we’ll make it through. If it’s six months, all bets are off.”
Former Chartbeat CEO Tony Haile hopes he’s found something at the intersection of ethical adblocking and news-flavored digital wellness. “It’s not just ‘Can you get rid of ads,’ but ‘What does a better internet look like?'”
Republicans and Democrats are (surprisingly!) teaming up to help news organizations negotiate with the tech giants. But it’s unlikely to have a substantial impact on the dysfunctional relationship between publishers and platforms.
The “failing” New York Times’ news operation now employs more than 1,700 journalists, up nearly 50 percent from a decade ago. It has nearly 5 million subscribers, triple its print-era peak. Now it’s preparing to up the price.
Inside.com recently raised $2.6 million from SeedInvest, Jason Calacanis, and “hundreds of our readers” to keep the growth going (but not relying on reader revenue).
“The model is designed to reward engagement and loyalty. We think those things are the currency of publishing in the future, that relationship with the consumer. The better you do at that, the better you do under Scroll.”
Owen, Laura Hazard. "The Outline built itself on being “weird.” But is it weird enough to survive?." Nieman Journalism Lab. Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard, 11 Oct. 2018. Web. 1 Apr. 2020.
APA
Owen, L. (2018, Oct. 11). The Outline built itself on being “weird.” But is it weird enough to survive?. Nieman Journalism Lab. Retrieved April 1, 2020, from https://www.niemanlab.org/2018/10/the-outline-built-itself-on-being-weird-but-is-it-weird-enough-to-survive/
Chicago
Owen, Laura Hazard. "The Outline built itself on being “weird.” But is it weird enough to survive?." Nieman Journalism Lab. Last modified October 11, 2018. Accessed April 1, 2020. https://www.niemanlab.org/2018/10/the-outline-built-itself-on-being-weird-but-is-it-weird-enough-to-survive/.
Wikipedia
{{cite web
| url = https://www.niemanlab.org/2018/10/the-outline-built-itself-on-being-weird-but-is-it-weird-enough-to-survive/
| title = The Outline built itself on being “weird.” But is it weird enough to survive?
| last = Owen
| first = Laura Hazard
| work = [[Nieman Journalism Lab]]
| date = 11 October 2018
| accessdate = 1 April 2020
| ref = {{harvid|Owen|2018}}
}}
