Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Is the axe about to swing at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram? (updated)

Last week we were hearing reports of an off-site meeting involving top execs at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Now, a commenter says the Star-Telegram is about to cut more positions.
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Here are some of the woes at the Fort Worth Star Telegram (via a Mitchell Schnurman column):

  • Advertising fell 17.5 percent in September, the fifth consecutive month of double-digit declines
  • Daily circulation has fallen 3.9 percent in the past year, to 195,446 copies
  • 250 positions have been eliminated so far in 2008 -- about one-fifth of its work force
  • The Star-Telegram had 390 journalists in the late 1990s; today, it has 220
  • The stock price of the Star-Telegram's parent, McClatchy, fell to an all-time low last week
  • Putting the Star-Telegram's historic building up for sale -- and talk of moving to the outskirts of the city -- has been a psychological body blow
  • Friday's announcement of a news alliance between the Star-Telegram and the Dallas Morning News sparked concerns about more layoffs


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UPDATE: From comments:

The paper has been slowly tanking as they cut their workforce. They started cutting from the newest to oldest employees but their plan failed. They cut some of their best talent and other greats left when they saw the writing on the wall.The ST ended up getting stuck with all the lazy, old curmudgeon. The content is terrible, multi media is suffering and they are running AP on local stories. It's actually just sad. So sad. The ST is cutting, management has been talking about it. Everyone should be worried, everyone except the few that were promised protection.
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Previous:
Fort Worth Star-Telegram to explore partnership with the Dallas Morning News
Historic Fort Worth Star-Telegram building up for sale
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12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Maybe the subcriptions are down because of articles like this that appeared in todays KC Star. Main/Nation Watch section. Heading:
Are no-flush urinals really a no-no"? This was the only article on the entire page A3 the rest Ads. Maybe the word "urinals" should be replace with the word "newspapers". Are we that hard up for reporters that this is the best it gets?

Anonymous said...

Star-Telegram/Morning news sharing Cowboys coverage? Yep, I think it's about time to get out of here.

Anonymous said...

Monday's Star-Telegram lead photo from Cowboy game is a special credit. Not sure of the photographer, but since they (Fort Worth) did send two photographers to the game, I assume that is a DMN photo on page 1A and spread all over the sports section. Only a matter of time until it hits us on the word side. Time to get out for sure

Anonymous said...

If Startlegram photographers were talented, that wouldn't have to happen.

Anonymous said...

The word side will get theirs soon. Standby.

Anonymous said...

The paper has been slowly tanking as they cut their workforce. They started cutting from the newest to oldest employees but their plan failed. They cut some of their best talent and other greats left when they saw the writing on the wall.
The ST ended up getting stuck with all the lazy, old curmudgeon . The content is terrible, multi media is suffering and they are running AP on local stories. It's actually just sad. So sad.
The ST is cutting, management has been talking about it. Everyone should be worried, everyone except the few that were promised protection. And yes, that has happened.

Anonymous said...

Good luck to those "chosen" to be protected. Hope they turn the lights out.

Anonymous said...

Cart - Horse.

Folks the paper tanked first as a result of lower circulation and advertising losses, then they had to cut the workforce. The loss of subscribers and advertising came first and was mainly a result of agenda driven journalism.

People got sick of biased opinions working their way into the "news coverage" and canceled their subscriptions. That is why you are hitting the bricks.

Anonymous said...

Well Cart-Horse, if you read the KC Star's reader rep blog, it seems that there are those who would agree with you.

http://adastrum.kansascity.com/?q=node/441

Anonymous said...

Yes, some people were protected. They were moved to different work categories so their senority would not be an issue. Sad.

Anonymous said...

1:57 You are correct. Sad truth is they keep their buddies regardless of what kind of work they do. Wonder why the paper is crap....you have the answer.

Anonymous said...

It's pretty obvious who was protected. People who are friends with top management and their spouses, both at KC and ST. Look around. People are here whose jobs aren't that important in the new age of newspapers. People still left are also many of the same ones who were plodding along to begin with. They know they are being protected. You can tell because they aren't worried at all. It's so sad because many of us have spent birthdays, holidays and days off pouring ourselves into these papers so others could just piss it all away.