Friday, May 3, 2019

New Lease on Life for Times-Picayune?

The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate is purchasing what is left of the famed Times-Picayune.  The Newhouse Group decimated the beloved newspaper a few years ago when it moved to a digital-first model and cut publication of the newspaper to only three days per week.  The Baton Rouge paper created a New Orleans Advocate that promptly took off as it hired many former reporters from the Times-Picayune.  The Morning Advocate announced yesterday:


For the news companies' loyal readers there are a few key details to know:

-- The Advocate will publish a seven-day, home-delivered newspaper in New Orleans using the brands and features of both publications. The new paper will debut in June.

-- The two papers’ websites will be combined under the nola.com brand around the same time.

 -- Owner John and Dathel Georges said when the new paper launches, current Picayune subscribers will be offered options for seven-day delivery.

 -- The single newspaper will carry the flags of both The Times-Picayune and the New Orleans Advocate, and will have the features of both, as the Georges promise to keep the legacy of both papers.

-- For approximately the next month (as of May 2), both The Picayune and nola.com will operate as they do now. When the new paper and web site debut, it will have all the features, including comics and puzzles, that appear in both papers.

-- The Advocate will be expanding its New Orleans news, advertising and circulation staff by hiring from current nola.com and Times-Picayune employees and will increase its coverage of suburban communities, sports and arts and entertainment, and also improve its opinion pages.

-- Before the launch of the new newspaper and web site, the Advocate sales and circulation staffs will be contacting current advertisers and subscribers to ensure a seamless transition.
 Several T-P reporters unfortunately found out yesterday they were losing their jobs.  The Morning Advocate published this editorial yesterday afternoon:

The announced purchase of The Times-Picayune and nola.com by Dathel and John Georges returns one of Louisiana’s most distinguished news organizations to local ownership.

In an era of retrenchment and cutbacks in the news industry, we believe local ownership is the best way to preserve the voices that can help nourish and unite our communities.

Thursday’s announcement will lead to the combining of The New Orleans Advocate and theneworleansadvocate.com with The Times-Picayune and nola.com.

It will not affect The Advocate’s operations in Baton Rouge or Acadiana.
To Advocate and Times-Picayune, nola.com readers: 7 key facts about the news of Thursday's sale

The Advocate has been locally owned for all of its 177 years, chiefly by the Manship family. The Manships sold the newspaper and its state-of-the-art printing plant to the Georges family in 2013. Under the Georges family, The Advocate expanded its coverage in New Orleans and Acadiana, helping to knit together the communities of South Louisiana.

We were guided by the view that Louisiana is a place that values tradition, including a morning newspaper and a strong cup of coffee. Readers and advertisers seem to have agreed, and they helped make us successful.

The Times-Picayune was locally owned until 1962, when it was purchased by the family of Samuel I. Newhouse of New York. Newhouse family members moved to New Orleans to manage the new purchase, and the new owners improved the news coverage. When Hurricane Katrina scattered the company’s subscribers and advertisers, others might have folded their tent, but the Newhouse family doubled down on its support for New Orleans.

Its decision to sell continues the Newhouses' legacy of loyalty to Louisiana.

We look forward to welcoming some new colleagues, serving new subscribers, helping new advertisers grow their businesses — and tirelessly listening to all of the voices in the great communities we serve.

It is ironic that the Newhouses actually sold the newspaper.  Ironic because they spurned Tom Benson's offer to purchase the Times-Picayune after they announced their plans to decimate the newspaper in 2013.  Earlier post on the fall of the Times-Picayune.  It's nice to see someone step up to the plate for local journalism.  A shame Finney and Roesler  aren't around to see it. 

8 comments:

Louis LeFleur said...

This is really great news and I wish them the best even though some of the few TP/Nola.com employees left will be out of jobs in the process.

Anonymous said...

Will they please purchase The Clarion Ledger?

Anonymous said...

Big journalism is dead.

Anonymous said...

The Morning Advocate is probably the best daily newspaper in the south. Quality in every way. This is great news for TP readers. The George family knows newspapers. I am happy to see this.

Rod Knox said...

Across the state local press and media fill their pages with Pollyanna Propaganda and pretend it's news because they are afraid the truth might offend an advertiser. As a result those who look mainly to their daily paper and tv station for news are as clueless as the homeless living under the bridges while those who tune in to network news and talk radio get the political agenda that best suits them but with little honest investigative journalism involved.

Someone long ago said that without an informed public democracy cannot survive. If he was right we won't have much longer to enjoy it.

Anonymous said...

For the past 15 years, 100 cities have lost their newspapers.

Hope JJ keeps on kicking. Just as much content here as the C-L.

Anonymous said...

I like to toon in to this here blog so I can get my opinion adjusted twice a day by Rod Knox. He provides just the squelch fine adjustment my antenna requires. The only man I know whose barrel is twisted in a knot but claims to be a straight shooter.

Hold on! I almost forgot about Pete Perry.

Rod Knox said...

Just think how boring a day 2:15 would have without me to criticize. I feel better knowing I'm a blessing to him and a few others.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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