A while back the good folks at the KANSAS CITY STAR inserted a small card into my newspaper.
On it they announced big plans for their upcoming Thanksgiving issue. Something to the effect that “…the Kansas City Star has BIG PLANS for your Thanksgiving Day edition and holiday shopping.”
Big Plans?
We could look forward to the largest edition of the year. Not necessarily news, mind you but that the paper will be filled with sales inserts from all of my favorite retailers, etc.
So WHAT Plans?
Those were outlined in a much smaller print size at the bottom of the piece explaining that all STAR subscribers will automatically receive home delivery on Thanksgiving day at an additional cost of $1.25!
“November delivery will reflect this slight one-time additional cost,” it proclaimed.
As a longtime subscriber to the STAR, I’ve reluctantly come to accept today’s meager print editions.
Looks to me that one of the only real BRIGHT SIDES left are the obituaries— seemingly one of the few remaining profit centers for the newspaper.
I digress.
According to the McClatchy Watch on-line site, the STAR’s daily circulation lost 18,411 subscribers between March 21 and September 30 of this year. While much of nay reflect recent cutbacks on Star deliveries to outlying areas, it still adds up to fewer readers.
It’s even worse on the national level!
According to Audit Bureau of Circulations, 379 of the largest U.S. Daily’s fell an average 10.6%!
So I can’t really fault the STAR for trying to find avenues to generate additional revenue.
I wouldn’t even mind another across-the-board subscription increase if it meant keeping the paper afloat.
But don’t nickel and dime me
rick
Good stuff Jack
CLM
Did The Star actually say that the reason they were charging more for the
Thanksgiving edition was because of ‘Weight’?
If this is the case, why wasn’t that quote in the post as proof?
Anyone who knows anything about newspapers know that the Thanksgiving day paper is the most profitable paper of the year. It contains lots of circulars, inserts and specials to let people know all about the Black Friday discounts and deals.
Considering the terrible financial shape of the industry, why wouldn’t a business try to generate more money out of something they know is profitable? People pay more for the Sunday paper for the same reason. This is really not a big deal, and quite frankly, they probably should have been charging more for the Thanksgiving edition YEARS AGO.
Also, would anyone really want to have their WHOLE subscription price increased, instead of paying a little extra for ONE issue delivered on Thanksgiving?
Lastly, if someone uses McClatchy Watch as a news source, that person really shouldn’t be considered credible.
DPW
Right on — I was mailed this news about 3 or so weeks ago. I called and complained and e mailed Mr. Irrelevant, Mark Zieman. I am so close to joining the “former Star” subscribers. Everyone needs to call and complain.
Josh
The Star mailer used the word “size” not weight. Same thing.
CLM
Size is an issue. If it’s the biggest edition of the year, it will be at least DOUBLE in size from the average paper – that means a lot more space and trouble for the drivers – They won’t fit in normal sized bags – just like the Sunday edition – which The Star ALWAYS charges more for.
The Star has made a lot of stupid decisions in the last few years, but I can’t see why this is such is such a big deal. The increase for this one paper is a few coins more than usual – big deal. Just don’t buy a cup of coffee on Thursday – you’ll want to save space for Turkey anyway!
Zack
Let’s see, they’re going to bag subscribers for a quarter million dollars to pay themselves back for selling hundreds of thousands of dollars of ads and you say, good for them? Sure you don’t work at 18th and Grand?
smartman
WOW! Size matters? If the Star sold more ads then the paper should be FREE on Thanksgiving day. All the Star needs to do to save itself is cut the crap with the commie lib-agenda driven- we know more than you be cause we’re uber-intelligent-academic- journalists-crap. Start with that, get rid of Whitlock-Penn-Hendricks and I might subscribe again.
DPW
I just found out the Star is now charging their carriers $5 per complaint received — unbelievable…
jean
Can’t believe they’re charging extra for the big insert load on turkey day. Sounds like desperation has taken over at the Star.
I figured with all the money they saved paying Hearne his 6 figure salary they’d be OK.
Apparently not.
CLM
I don’t think you guys understand how business works. Pricing is based on DEMAND. Thanksgiving Day is ALWAYS the most purchased issue of the year. The Star knows (and you should too) that people buy the Thanksgiving Day paper BECAUSE of the ads – the more ads the better. People want the circulars, specials and other offers. It’s one of the ONLY things that The Star has that is popular, and I don’t blame them for wanting to make a little more money from it. The Star is bleeding money and has to find new ways of bringing in revenue.
I’m guessing from the amount of outrage registered here, that most people actually still CARE about the newspaper. If you didn’t, why would you bother complaining?
Unless you are a right-wing Teabagger-type who just like to act outraged, and think that all newspapers are “liberal rags” like Smartman does. If that’s the case, you should stay in the house and await new marching orders from Glenn Beck.
jojo
the star still reached 400.000 readers per
sunday…and 230,000 on weekdays…
don’t killoff print yet…its still read
heavily….
and people still love buying the star…
the younger audiences arent buying it as
muchy…but when they get a little older
theyre buying it…
don’t stick a dagger in the star yet.
dimebag
Hey CLM. Count me among the right wing tea baggers who thinks (most) newspapers are liberal media rags. I’m cleaning my AR-15 then counting my ammo and gold bullion in my Jesus room. I’m waiting for Glenn Beck to tell me it’s OK to start killing commie libs. The revolution won’t be televised.
frankie
Let’s see now. A quarter extra if you want the sunday tv listings. An extra $ 1.25 for the Thanksgiving inserts. Here’s another way to squeeze Star subscribers and Jack touched on it already.
Obits are great revenue generators for the paper. How about printing them as a daily insert and charging a quarter just like for the TV insert?
Goose13
Listen, the thanksgiving paper is part of the weekly delivery. Size is pure B.S. The carrier is the one who has to handle it. They are contract employee’s. The Star employee’s use dollies because they are on skids when they move them. Star Employee’s hardly touch the paper at the distribution center’s. They have contract employee’s who get paid $10 per hour to touch the papers. The District Reps, who get paid a pretty penny, sit on there butts and count papers. Then they hide in their office or use a a star van to go get coffie. Or smoke in the distribution center, which has all of the newspapers in that area, and is against the law. It is a four part paper and which will probably be late off the press’s. There is nothing that cost extra to print that paper since the are getting money from the ads. Also, they are not paying the carriers anything extra for the thanksgiving paper. Even though it is the largest paper of the year. The Star is lying when it says it is size.
jon
I always heard that SIZE COUNTS and was reminded again last night when honey was gulping my large schlong.
Honey didn’t charge extra for pre-ejaculation mess but I did leave her a quarter on the night stand. Does that qualify me for Star management?
smartman
Jon: That qualifies you to be publisher!
CLM
I’m curious if the people who run “KC Confidential” think it’s ok for a poster to actually threaten killing people?
The person who refers to himself as “dimebag” has some serious issues and may be a threat to himself and others.
Rick II
I couldn’t agree more. Anyone had any luck complaining to the Star? If so, please post instructions on how to get this charge removed. I feel like I’ve had my lunch money stolen …
Dr. Jack Otto
You guys are stupid … think of a major city without a major daily – we would have crap like this to read. We are lucky to have a paper of such calibur in our city. The Star is a major contributor to almost everthing worthy of attending – sports, arts, concerts, etc. They are also silent donors of all the non-profits in our area. Get a life and write something that matters. Really!