Tomorrow's news... Today!
Sep. 19th, 2007 01:46 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
libertangoLong-time readers may recall I once described the New York Times' "Times Select" program this way when it was announced back in 2005:
"This is a colossally stupid business move, and it appears the Times knows it. Because I can't figure out why they wouldn't go and implement it today if they had any confidence at all. Running it as a trial balloon (for months after the announcement) shows how uncertain they are."
...
"So, what will the end result for the Times be? Marginally more bucks from a devoted few, while the vast bulk of their readers stop visiting them. Which doesn't just cut their revenue stream from subscriptions, but will cut their current banner ad revenues. It will also make their Op-Ed writers less relevant, by taking away some of the bully-ness of their pulpit."
"Fewer readers, less revenues, less prestige. Not often one sees a trifecta like that."
*^*^*
As of today, the Times agrees:
"Effective Sept. 19, we are ending TimesSelect."
{blink}
"Victory is mine, victory is mine. Great day in the morning, victory is mine. I drink from the keg of glory. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land." -- Aaron Sorkin, writing for the character Josh Lyman, The West Wing
"This is a colossally stupid business move, and it appears the Times knows it. Because I can't figure out why they wouldn't go and implement it today if they had any confidence at all. Running it as a trial balloon (for months after the announcement) shows how uncertain they are."
...
"So, what will the end result for the Times be? Marginally more bucks from a devoted few, while the vast bulk of their readers stop visiting them. Which doesn't just cut their revenue stream from subscriptions, but will cut their current banner ad revenues. It will also make their Op-Ed writers less relevant, by taking away some of the bully-ness of their pulpit."
"Fewer readers, less revenues, less prestige. Not often one sees a trifecta like that."
*^*^*
As of today, the Times agrees:
"Effective Sept. 19, we are ending TimesSelect."
{blink}
"Victory is mine, victory is mine. Great day in the morning, victory is mine. I drink from the keg of glory. Bring me the finest muffins and bagels in all the land." -- Aaron Sorkin, writing for the character Josh Lyman, The West Wing
