Denver Newspaper Agency plans for a one-newspaper town
DNA letter draft names March 1 as possible date
By David Milstead, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published February 4, 2009 at noon
SPECIAL SECTION » The Rocky Mountain News is for sale. On December 4, 2008, E.W. Scripps, the owner of Colorado’s oldest newspaper, said if a buyer does not step forward it will pursue other options – including closure.
Click to read stories about the sale, and see what other news outlets have been saying about the paper since the announcement.
The agency that handles business operations for the two major Denver newspapers is planning for life in a one-newspaper town.
Staffers at the Denver Newspaper Agency have drafted a letter for advertisers that says, "Effective March 1, 2009, only one major daily newspaper will serve the metro Denver market - The Denver Post."
The letter features a new logo for the agency that describes it as "publisher of The Denver Post."
The letter also tells advertisers "the closure of the Rocky Mountain News will only minimally change our print and online audience . . . All current Rocky Mountain News subscribers will now receive The Denver Post."
Agency spokesman Jim Nolan said the letter is a draft and "absolutely nothing has been mailed to anybody."
"The dates are purely placeholder dates - they don't mean anything," Nolan said. "The (agency) has not been notified by either owner of any date regarding the Rocky Mountain News. Our plans are to keep publishing the Rocky Mountain News until notified otherwise.
"It's part of a contingency planning effort, just by the DNA, to plan for several alternatives on how to communicate with advertisers if scenario A or scenario B happened. It hasn't been vetted - it's simply the writer's attempt at how we would communicate that scenario in the event it happened . . . it's prudent business management to plan for various business scenarios."
Nolan declined to comment on what the other scenarios may be.
E.W. Scripps, publisher of the Rocky, said Dec. 4 that it would try to sell the paper and explore other options if it failed. The company said it accepted bids through Jan. 16, but has provided no update since.
MediaNews Group, the owner of the Post, is making plans to operate the sole Denver paper.
In a statement last week, it said it plans to exercise a first right of refusal clause in its partnership agreement with Scripps and purchase the entirety of the agency. That would leave any buyer of the Rocky without presses or an advertising or circulation staff.
The agency, according to a Dec. 9 letter from Scripps executives to Denver Post Corp. executives, has no access to its bank line of credit. Dean Singleton, CEO of MediaNews, has told unions at the agency and the Post that he needs $20 million in concessions. Talks continue.
Scripps spokesman Tim King said, "I think the (agency's) statement covers it. We haven't completed the sale process we started in December, so Scripps hasn't communicated anything about the future of the Rocky to the (agency) or MediaNews Group."
Joseph "Jody" Lodovic, president of MediaNews, said, "I was only made aware of the draft letter (Tuesday) night and haven't read it. However, in light of the uncertainty resulting from the Scripps announcement in December, I would expect (agency) management to be preparing for various alternatives. That would certainly be the prudent thing for management to do.
"To my knowledge, (agency) management has not been notified by either partner of any specific plans for the future of Denver's newspapers.
"Until it is told otherwise, (the agency) will continue to publish both newspapers and operate in the normal course as it always has."
Tracy Simmons, administrative officer of the Denver Newspaper Guild, said, "It's surprising that the DNA's planning for the future seems to be so one-sided. Singleton has been consistent in his message that he will close the Rocky. It's surprising to see this message has apparently been adopted by the DNA."
Rocky Mountain News staff writer Jeff Smith contributed.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
February 4, 2009
12:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
the_ripper writes:
Bye, bye, Littwin!
February 4, 2009
12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
HisPrinceMichael writes:
The Rocky Mountain News Official Newspaper
of The House of David.
February 4, 2009
12:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
schnauzer writes:
It will be sad to see the Rocky go but I subscribed for a long time until a couple yeras ago. Just could not stand the left leaning writers and editorial staff than took over the paper. I just didn't enjoy reading it like I used to. I'll miss it but one less lefty paper the better!
February 4, 2009
12:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
GoldenKid writes:
I hate the damn Post and their editorial staff with a passion. The only thing I ever used their paper for was to house break puppies. Too bad it's not them tanking instead. The free Denver Daily News is still a better little paper than the Post. They may have some type-o's but they keep it short and sweet and without their spin on the news.
February 4, 2009
12:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
INC writes:
How Old Western Dime novel of the NDA (Post) to announce the wooden stake in its oldest rival at High Noon...
More like a stab in the back if ya ask me...
Other cities have a Post. Denver once had a one and only "Rocky Mountain News."
February 4, 2009
12:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
GladysKravitz writes:
If the RMN does not survive and the POst has to take up the slack, there will be opportunity for the Post to increase it's market share and hopefully increase it's guild membership.
February 4, 2009
12:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
INC writes:
Denver Newspaper Agency = Post
February 4, 2009
1 p.m.
Suggest removal
jokboy4u writes:
Shut down the Post, keep the Rocky... at least the format. Two newspapers in this down is ridiculous and a waste of paper. Another case of the dinosaurs not keeping up on technology.
February 4, 2009
1:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
GK writes:
"If you can't stand the "left leaning" RMN."
"left leaning." You can't be serious.
February 4, 2009
1:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
There goes my newspaper, I won't be subscribing to the Post so it really doesn't matter much to me if it folds also. We have advertised our business for years in both, but the big guy always favored the Rocky on his large 3/4 page run once a week. I liked blogging on here, I learned quite a bit, and enjoyed the comments a lot. The television and other comment sections in the media locally aren't my cup of tea either. So I guess I'll go back to my daytime computer porn addiction for which the Rocky cured me of. LOL!~
February 4, 2009
1:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
CSU5280 writes:
can they take Mark Kizla and Jim Armstrong with them?
February 4, 2009
1:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Barbarosa writes:
GW, the Republitards out there think anything left of Rush Limbaugh is "left-leaning." Bunch of whackos if you ask me.
And if you think the advertising rates are gonna go up when we're a one-paper town, just wait 'til you see what happens to the subscription rates.
Count me out.
February 4, 2009
1:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
BigRich writes:
It's amazing that the Rocky's telemarketers are still trying to sell annual subscriptions. In fact, my buddy tried to subscribe for a shorter period, but they wouldn't do it. His option was to re-up for a year or take a hike. He's hiking. I smell a scam.
February 4, 2009
1:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
"'The letter is a draft, and the dates are purely placeholder dates – they don't mean anything,' said agency spokesman Jim Nolan."
I think that the appropriate response to Nolan is, "BULL$HIT"! An example of a "placeholder date" is MMM DD YYYY.
Scott
February 4, 2009
1:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
coskibum writes:
So sad that a great newspaper is leaving us. Like Barbarosa, I too will not subscribe to The Denver Post. Way too right wing for a newspaper and now the only game in town. I feel for the staff of RMN and want you to know that I have enjoyed and relished your publication for years. There is no one to blame other than Bush/Cheney for driving us into this depression... Their legacy is growing by the hour! Worst President/Vice President Ever!
February 4, 2009
1:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
Darwin writes:
coskibum: ..."Their legacy is growing by the hour! Worst President/Vice President Ever!" (Bush/Cheney)
That is until Obama and his gang of tax cheats and lobbyists. We were told McCain would be a third Bush term. Seems that is the case with Obama. Politics as usual, and that is not a good thing.
The Democrats and the Republicans are a bunch of crooks. That is why I am registered as an unaffiliated voter. Not going to let either party lead me around like a sheep. BTW, we are not in a depression and Bush had a lot of support from crooked Democrats to blame this recession on. Take off your blinders and do your own thinking and fact gathering if you are capable.
February 4, 2009
1:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
singularity99 writes:
RIP RMN
February 4, 2009
1:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
Scott writes:
coskibum & Darwin,
Knock off the political crap. National politics has zilch-point-zip-$hit to do with the demise of the RMN. This article is talking about the Denver (com)Post becoming the only paper in Denver.
Scott
February 4, 2009
2:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
the_ripper writes:
'...The Denver Post. Way too right wing for a newspaper...'
You cannot be serious.
February 4, 2009
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
HisPrinceMichael writes:
Now, now Dr. Scott, while your anger speaks volume,
your foul-language betrays your excellant sensibility.
Survey says? OUR Rocky, WILL prevail
February 4, 2009
2:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Lorraine writes:
No Post for me. I can get all of the Sunday ads online and get my news there already.
February 4, 2009
2:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
rowdy1 writes:
lost in a one paper town
February 4, 2009
2:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Uno_Cinco writes:
I will cancel my subscription if this becomes a one paper town, I will never subscribe to the Post!
February 4, 2009
2:22 p.m.
Suggest removal
LBCsurfgoddess writes:
This stinks! I hate papers that are not in Tabloid format. who is the brain child that thinks it is fun to fold open a 2 foot by 3 foot paper and try to read it, then try to go to Page what ever to find the rest of a story. It is really hard to read when you are trying to have coffee or breakfast while reading the paper.
I wish all papers would addopt the RMN format. Looks like the post will loose my subscription dollars...
February 4, 2009
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
mosleyjackson writes:
The REAL DEAL-- yep folks, it's for real. Scroll back up to the top, look under Additional Items on the left hand side,
and click on the PDF--
"Read a draft of an unsent letter from the Denver Newspaper Agency to advertisers". It looks like a fax, doesn't it? Odds are a Rocky person leaked it.
(And why not leak it through your own editorial dept, if your job and your entire company is going Titanic anyway?) Sad days indeed.
February 4, 2009
2:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
no_more_republicans writes:
>schnauzer writes:
>It will be sad to see the Rocky go but I subscribed for a long >time until a couple yeras ago. Just could not stand the left >leaning writers and editorial staff than took over the paper. I >just didn't enjoy reading it like I used to. I'll miss it but one less >lefty paper the better!
That's pretty funny. I cancelled my subscription to the News back in '04, when they endorsed Bush (again). I figured that it wasn't worth putting more money into the right wing media.
Endorsing Bush in '04 is a pretty good argument for their right wing slant - I wonder what you're argument is for their supposed left wing slant?
>Darwin writes:
>That is until Obama and his gang of tax cheats and lobbyists. >We were told McCain would be a third Bush term. Seems that >is the case with Obama. Politics as usual, and that is not a >good thing.
Really? I'm not happy with a few of the President's choices, but, by and large, I'd say we've seen quite a bit of change in just a few days time.
>The Democrats and the Republicans are a bunch of crooks.
Well, I'll agree with that.
>That is why I am registered as an unaffiliated voter. Not going >to let either party lead me around like a sheep. BTW, we are >not in a depression and Bush had a lot of support from crooked >Democrats to blame this recession on.
Sounds like you're following SOMEONE around like a good little sheep <cough RUSH LIMBAUGH cough>. It's true that there was some corrupt Democratic support of Bush's policies (mainly in support of his illegal eavesdropping and his illegal torture programs). But, they were BUSH'S (and the Republican party's) policies. There's no getting around that.
February 4, 2009
2:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
peterpi writes:
I love all the dissembling by the DNA, the obfuscation. The only "uncertainty" in that "pink slip" of a letter is the date.
I'm now down to $3 a month to receive a paper online from the DNA. If they shut the Rocky, as seems likely, I'll tell the DNA to take a hike. I enjoy hard-copy newspapers. But they seem to be dead, in an age where everything happens NOW and is reported NOW. Perspective? Who needs stinkin' perspective? Why bother with reasoned judgement, when cable and the Internet demand a respoinse NOW? If it happended two days ago, it's now considered ancient history.
DNA: Denver's no-News Agency
February 4, 2009
2:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
rik writes:
Dude writes: "Phil anschutz should buy RMN. he has deep enough pockets to lose money like scripps has and he can force DP and dean singleton to get out of Denver...."
I think you wish is about to come true.
February 4, 2009
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
RainbowWarrior writes:
More consolidation of wealth & power and in this case news and information... no wonder this country is so messed up!!!
I hate corporations and how they have been used to control our lives and take away our freedom by taking over our government.
Time to decentralize the control systems people! Break it all up like we did the Bell Telephone system and AT&T back in the sixties!
Just think how many business opportunities could be created if we broke up Walmart/Sam's Club, Citi Group/Bank of America, Home Depot/Lowes, K-mart/Target!
Let's talk real stimulus and job creation! Take it away from these rich selfish jerks and we all stop being poor!
Revolution time is here...
I say take the assets from both the News & the Post and create five or six small papers that share the printing and distribution infra structure still in place. One can be hard left, one hard right and three or four in the middle. And if they collude and rig advertising prices like the monopoly we have now (and getting worse, DAH) we shut em down and give someone else a go at it... like this country used to work! No more too big to fail, just survival of the best and equal opportunity to give it your best shot.
Then again, who cares. I for one have not bought a paper in years and dropped all my magazine subscriptions because on-line is better; no corporate brain washing, saves trees, no trash and it's FREE... and no way to post your feelings instantly in the printed format.
May the trend continue... who needs print? Too bad the Rocky can't figure out how to be an on-line only news source and let the Post go down like all the rest of the old print has beens will soon go.
By the way, who needs snail mail either! Let's get on with the 21st Century!
February 4, 2009
2:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
ifyem writes:
I am only bummed because they obviously will take this site and its hilarious comments down with it! Where will I turn to for my daily dose of comedic relief? I have tried the Post's online comment section and it isn't nearly as good this site....
February 4, 2009
2:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bcra4u writes:
I definitely won't be subscribing to the Post either. Never have liked that newspaper. I second the opinion of the folks who wish the Post was the one going under. I will miss the easy to read format, big pictures and Drew Littons take on the sports world through cartoons. I do think its funny how no matter what the topic of the newspaper article is, Bush and politics gets brought up. Dang libbos...You got your new president.Thats why we have an election every 4 years, You libs act like the Republicans have never had to live through a Dem before. We will live though "H"'s reign just like you lived through Mr. Bushes. I just hope he doesnt screw with the strength of our military. Getting rid of the "Dont ask, Dont tell" policy is a step in the wrong direction though.
February 4, 2009
3:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
scoop7 writes:
Media News has no money. It has no line of credit with their banks. Singleton owes the DNA $13 million. How is Media News going to be able to access their right of first refusal?
February 4, 2009
3:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
Becky1 writes:
Will I be able to get a refund on my Rocky Mt. subscription? I won't have the Post in my possession. Too bulky, too big!
February 4, 2009
3:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
O_TRAIN writes:
Dude - I hear you. Hopefully you're talking about the Post being too big and not the "kids" ;) good luck.
February 4, 2009
3:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bipolar writes:
Thats fine I just wont get renew my sub and just get my news from the internet. Before long we will be a NO newspaper town because the denver post S*U*C*K*S!!!!!
February 4, 2009
3:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
IRUNMAN writes:
Bcra4u writes, " I just hope he doesnt screw with the strength of our military. Getting rid of the "Dont ask, Dont tell" policy is a step in the wrong direction though."
What an ignorant comment.
February 4, 2009
3:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
Triumph writes:
I sure hope the other big cities that still have two newspapers don't start making fun of us and start calling us a one newspaper cowtown! Oh the shame! :(
February 4, 2009
3:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
nativegirl writes:
I'm gonna miss the News. I get old copies of the Post from my folks for our fireplace. Only thing it's good for.
February 4, 2009
3:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
rik writes:
Scoop7
There is a reason that Scripps is dragging their feet on closing.
2 Options:
#1 Buyer
#2 Waiting for the banks to force MNG into having to sell and Scripps will buy it in pieces.
February 4, 2009
3:45 p.m.
Suggest removal
labutard writes:
Scripps has been utterly inhumane in this process. Just letting its loyal employees wait for the inevitable. Screw Scripps.
February 4, 2009
3:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
Willy writes:
ifyem writes:
I am only bummed because they obviously will take this site and its hilarious comments down with it! Where will I turn to for my daily dose of comedic relief? I have tried the Post's online comment section and it isn't nearly as good this site....
Yep - I guess I will need to start watching All Star Wrestling for this kind of entertainment
RainbowWarrior writes:
Time to decentralize the control systems people! Break it all up like we did the Bell Telephone system and AT&T back in the sixties!
LOL - so how'd that work out for you? The industry has re-consolidated and the service is terrible and costs are out of sight.
These are not big companies that own these papers. I'm too lazy to look it up but I bet the Colorado democratic party and republican party have bigger revenue streams than these two papers
February 4, 2009
4 p.m.
Suggest removal
forty5ford writes:
One thing is certain. I will accept the DP under any circumstances, so I called today to terminate my subscription and I requested a refund for the unused portion of my prepaid account. I'd rather give my money to the Denver Daily News.
February 4, 2009
4:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
JB writes:
I hope that Scripps has an Ace up their sleeve. NMG really doesn't have much money or credit. If Scripps were smart, they'd encourage the DNA union members to refuse wage consessions, keep taking a loss on the Rocky, and then buy the DNA and Post in pieces once the Post folds. Scripps as a company has the capital to do this. I hope that in the end the "sale" of the Rocky really turns out to be a brilliant business play!
February 4, 2009
4:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
Willy writes:
JB writes:
If Scripps were smart, they'd encourage the DNA union members to refuse wage consessions,
Great plan if you want the Post to survive. The Scripps folk would go to jail, be fined beyond any means they could pay and be sued silly by the Post.
February 4, 2009
4:12 p.m.
Suggest removal
HisPrinceMichael writes:
Note to savvy investor (s) with bucks AND vision:
See comments.
February 4, 2009
4:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
Superstar writes:
Talk about cut throat! Wow, when times get tough for news folks they get down right ruthless. It would be terrible if this becomes a one-paper town. The remaining paper would have no incentive to tow the line. We would lose a lot of good reporters. Would be a sad day. I love the Rocky!
February 4, 2009
5:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
jersey writes:
One helluva a way to shed the "Cowtown" image in having only one paper. The consumer always loses when it comes to having to deal with a monopoly. The all ready astronomical advertising price will now skyrocket beyond belief! As for the opinions of either paper I could care less. I form my own! However, I will miss Drew Litton and his astuteness as to the situation. One of the best. As for the Post's format you need the space of a empty Invesco Field to unfold it. Too damn cumbersome!
February 4, 2009
5:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
singularity99 writes:
The tabloid format finally did in the RMN. Whenever I looked at the paper, the words, "National Enquirer" seemed to resonate in my head, and I couldn't get them out.
February 4, 2009
6:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fun4me writes:
Rush Limbaugh is an uneducated gold digger. He likes to say ignorant things to get the people who can't read and research on their own all riled up. Go do a google on Rush and you'll find out that the guy never went to college. He couldn't hack it. Same thing with Glen Beck, Sean Hannity. There seems to be a pattern developing in the Republican party. Give all the uneducated people a radio or TV talk show. It will get ratings because they say so much ignorant and dumb stuff, but they get audiences. Even Joe the Plumber just got hired by Fox! Where is Palin?
February 4, 2009
6:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
BJG writes:
Denver once again proves that it's a town that can't seem to graduate to big city ideas. Look out Air America, and NPR your next on the list to be eliminated.
February 4, 2009
6:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
jersey writes:
Singularity99: As for the formats one man's treasure is another man's trash. You can't understate the beauty of freedom of choice!
February 4, 2009
6:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
i_am_mine writes:
I wanted to say something about some of the articles we've been reading here lately. The RMN almosts seems as if they're blaming the Denver Newspaper Agency or the Post for their own misfortunes. It's not the Newspaper Agency or the Post's fault that this is now going to be a one paper town. I am sorry to see you go, if that happens, but life goes on. The DNA and Post aren't going to just fold out of sympathy for your situation.
February 4, 2009
6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
dkmartin writes:
"The report of my death is an exaggeration." -- Mark Twain
The Rocky Mountain News isn't dead. Don't plan the funeral. Silence from Scripps doesn't mean there is nothing in the works.
Mainly because of Singleton's deceitful business ethics, no Denver Post will grace my door--I won't be one of the subscribers the Post thinks will cross over
Denver will be the better when to MediaNews Group's chagrin, the Rocky Mountain News is the last paper standing.
February 4, 2009
6:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
KCBRONCOFAN writes:
Yeah, let the all the print news go. Sound bytes for me. Internet for news, then I can read only those that agree with ME! And nothing over six sentences. Too hard to stay with it. THE place to go for those who need to be told what to think is the old Rushbo!
February 4, 2009
6:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
jeffdragon writes:
Scripps is putting the paper up for sale, and yet their own people do nothing but rip Dean Singleton and the DNA for their problems.
Keep believing Scripps, bitter News people.
If it weren't for Singleton, you would have folded eight years ago.
But go ahead, keep making Singleton the boogeyman.
Idiots.
February 4, 2009
7:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
falcon65 writes:
gr8fun4me writes:
Rush Limbaugh is an uneducated gold digger. He likes to say ignorant things to get the people who can't read and research on their own all riled up. Go do a google on Rush and you'll find out that the guy never went to college. He couldn't hack it. Same thing with Glen Beck, Sean Hannity. There seems to be a pattern developing in the Republican party. Give all the uneducated people a radio or TV talk show. It will get ratings because they say so much ignorant and dumb stuff, but they get audiences. Even Joe the Plumber just got hired by Fox! Where is Palin?
And Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard law school - he was a hacker in high school. What's your point, only the college grad elite are not "ignorant and dumb"? Maybe you should google tax-evaders and see how many BO appointees pop up...
February 4, 2009
8:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Who_Me writes:
falcon,
On planet Earth (what we humans who live here call it), the famous Bill Gates you refer to in your post did not graduate from college, let alone drop out of law school. What planet/alternate universe are you from?
February 4, 2009
9:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
rik writes:
Jeffdragon
If it wasn't for Scripps, Media News Group and Dean wouldn't have been able to "Borrow" the 13 Mil to pay his bills!
February 4, 2009
9:23 p.m.
falcon65 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
February 4, 2009
9:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
dencolo writes:
this jeffdragon is a mean-spirited, vicous piece of work, eh?
February 4, 2009
10:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
jay045 writes:
Everyone who said they prefer the Denver Daily News - you've got to be kidding? That paper runs wire service reports, and includes phony articles written by their advertisers.
February 4, 2009
10:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
chizman69 writes:
The Denver Post is like Obama, acts tough but is nothing but a wimp.
February 4, 2009
11:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
DUScooter writes:
That is WAY to presumptious of them. Isn't it? Damn The Post!
February 4, 2009
11:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
seeker writes:
I would miss the Rocky. Been reading it since 1959 and I would like to continue to do so until I pass on if that could be arranged. I like the tabloid format and will not be switching to DP. Have to go to other internet sites and local TV news web sites. Bummer. Hate to think of it going. A one newspaper town seems pretty lame.
February 5, 2009
12:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
The_Punnisher writes:
Too much NOSTALGIA, not much REALITY here
To LOUIE: the best stuff isn't free anymore. ;-)
To those who still want their tabloid format:
Buy a drafting printer, fill it with the paper size, program it and you can have your tabloid format...complete with ads if you want.
( You can have it if you can afford it )
Just remember that people used to prefer coal oil lamps ( to read a paper called the Rocky ) and use horses and railroads to travel across country. We have AUTOMOBILES and AIRPLANES now.
It's called CHANGE. Evolution does that sometimes.
My guess on the EVOLUTION of the NEWS:
I think the YourHub type format will still be around for LOCAL news.
We will rely more on the SOURCE for the news, not filtered through the AP. The AP is quickly becoming a dinosaur. The SLANTED ( dis ) information it gives us doesn't help.
Figure out who you want to serve, then serve THEM. If your content has value, the customer will pay..
Bite the bullet and look at your competition; see WHY they are still in business. Hint: Less INFOTAINMENT, more REPORTING may work; check your peers for some examples.
( If I post links, this whole message will be removed; the ROCKY hates competition )
February 5, 2009
1:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
freemarketworks writes:
I guess it's the Wall Street Journal and conservative talk radio from March 1st forward. I refuse to pay for the Denver Post!
February 5, 2009
1:13 a.m.
Suggest removal
bobejohnson writes:
No love for the Rocky? The sports writers rock at the Rocky and while they've made great strides in trying to keep up with the new forms of media, the alledged under-the-table payoffs other writers have received from businesses to post positive reviews is finally catching up with the Rocky.
Hopefully the Denver Dining Diva (LM) will pack up and go bye bye for good as well. What will all the poor excuses for restaurants in her pocket do now? Find someone else to pay off -like Yelp.com for instance? I will miss Penny's and Marty's columns though.
The Rocky has travelled down a rocky road for far too long and have hurt too many businesses and leaders in the community by omission alone.
February 5, 2009
6:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
5280FANatic writes:
Sad day when the people of Colorado have to rely on the untalented writers of the Post to provide their News.
February 5, 2009
6:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
5280FANatic writes:
jeffdragon writes:
Scripps is putting the paper up for sale, and yet their own people do nothing but rip Dean Singleton and the DNA for their problems.
Keep believing Scripps, bitter News people.
If it weren't for Singleton, you would have folded eight years ago.
But go ahead, keep making Singleton the boogeyman.
Idiots.
Who here thinks jeffdragon is an untalented writer from the Post? Show of hands?
February 5, 2009
8:24 a.m.
Suggest removal
sundaychild67 writes:
That Joint Operation Agreement worked out really well, didn't it? When I moved here 13 years ago, the News and the Post were cut-throat competitors and would do just about anything to get subscribers. And because of the competition, it was much more affordable to subscribe to the paper! Then they had to merge operations and everything went in the toilet. Now they have that brand-new building that will sit half-empty. What a shame.
February 5, 2009
8:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
4RMN writes:
When the News shuts down this website, you all will have to get lives! When you do, find something productive to do instead slamming on each other. It's pathetic.
February 5, 2009
10:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
BigJoey writes:
If we're going to lose a paper in Denver, I wish it was the Denver Post. I've been reading the Rocky since I was moved here as a child and have always preferred it to the Post. If they think that all of the educated and well-off readers in Denver are going to just switch to the Post 7 days a week, they should think again. I personally will be cutting back, because there are plenty of places to get the news online these days.
February 5, 2009
10:07 a.m.
Suggest removal
Who_Me writes:
From 4RMN:
"When the News shuts down this website, you all will have to get lives! When you do, find something productive to do instead slamming on each other. It's pathetic."
You too, Bozo.
February 5, 2009
2 p.m.
Suggest removal
Maple writes:
Some of the comments posted here are so sad...
Don't those of you who say you hate the Post or the Rocky understand how important it is that their reporters are going to your city council meetings, your p&z board meetings, your high school sports games etc.? Those of you who naively think you can get all your news from online sources are kidding yourselves...
Who do you think WRITES that news? Yahoo and Google scrape it from newspaper sites after the newspaper pays those reporters to go those meetings/events/games. Many of their reporters have been covering the same beats for years and often know more about the issues than newly-elected government officials. Their coverage can mean whether or not a bill passes or whether or not a scandal gets uncovered. If you actually think that the same quality of journalism will be provided by random bloggers, you're crazy.
Reliable news is not free and it never will be. Eventually, I hope the general population will understand that and the industry will figure out how to make a profit from their Web products.
For now, the imminent closure of papers like the Rocky, the Seattle P-I and serious cutbacks in others indicates that it's going to get much worse before it gets better...
February 5, 2009
2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
HisPrinceMichael writes:
Whoa. The Seattle P-U? Maybe, since that paper was such
a shill for the Pharaoh, he'll bail them out, like he did the NY
Times?
February 5, 2009
4:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
Mostlymountain writes:
The internet news, craigslist and ebay is making newspapers look like the buggy whip business. Not the politicians, though I wish we could blame them.....
February 5, 2009
9:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
tomk writes:
Hi, from the other side of the pond. I think it very sad when your choice of paper goes down. We in the UK have a vast selection of newspapers to choose from the Daily Worker on the left (Commie) to the Daily Mail (or Fascist) on the extreme right (i.e. all immigrants must be starved and sent home etc.) The UK is a small country v the USA but you should fight for choice. A politician here once said I may disagree with every word you say but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Maybe we are still the home of democracy. Regards. Tom.
February 5, 2009
9:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
chrisleo writes:
say it ain't so. i enjoy reading the seattle paper too.