Rhart writes:
""I am surprised that with the thousands of struggling, yet still profitable newspapers in this country that they (newspapers – who are searching for a solution***) are not gobbling up any available good generic domain portfolios.
Here is an article where they are just waking up and "Allowing readers to contribute content online" to their "1" domain, of course. Meanwhile Marchex and Demand Media are taking a large chunk the advertising dollars that they used to get. Do they ever notice this?
*** "Newspapers across the country are laying off employees to deal with declining revenue even as they search for a workable online business model."
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070627/BIZ01/706270332/1076/BIZ
I should have added this article too
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8PSRFLG1.htm
***FS*** I’m frankly surprised by how much easier it is for online folks like us to come after traditional media business models than the other way around. In a way it’s sad.. in a way "that’s life". This opportunity is open to anyone, but buying/managing thousands of domain names for traffic and dynamic-development is not going to be "for everyone". As one of my friends recently opined: "We’ll live to see the day when a large scale domain registrant leverages the power of their portfolio to buy a large traditional media outlet." And unlike AOL Time Warner of the Past, This time it will be based on EBITDA, not stock prices.
Here is one trying…and not sitting around whining
Reshaping Media – Media Reshaping
Just kind of interesting to see a tiny local newspaper comment on what we often hear:
http://fhtimes.com/times/062707/alan.html
And interesting to see this same small town newspaper take on a form of media that they never used before…video. They get Phoenix TV stations in Fountain Hills. The internet has made it possible for a little newspaper to deliver TV style news (as unpolished as it may be now) and expand beyond what they were doing before. If locals will watch it, then it cuts into TV Station ad revenues. Media is radically changing… and changing all other forms of media in the process. Domains may be the biggest thing that is reshaping media. But neat to see a small paper taking advantage of what is at their disposal.
http://www.fhtimes.com/video/
http://fhtimes.com/
Fountain Hills is a unincorporated town outside of Phoenix/Scottsdale. Beautiful place with spectacular views and homes.
Love seeing the small time paper changing with the times.
***FS*** I do too! Thanks for sharing this.