[poromo]

With the Chicago Tribune filing for bankrupcy and newspapers folding all over over the country, is it possible The Village Sun could also cease operations?

[Russ_Boston]

The Sun will cease operations WHEN the last new home is sold, not before. Even then it may continue since there will always be resales. It's more of a brochure than a newspaper.

[downeaster]

The Sun has a very large, loyal customer base. It tells us what we want to hear and is even starting to tell us some of that we may not like to hear. It has a targeted audience. A big benefit to advertisers
Other than being a cheerleader for the Developer, I think it has developed into a pretty decent publication.
Based on the number of ads it carries, I would guess it is also a healthy publication.
One of the reasons for the problems with the main stream press is the Internet. It is much cheaper to produce a web site than publish a newspaper.
Having said that, I, for one, am not going to give up my cup of coffee and newspaper in the morning. I think the demographics of The Villages indicate there are a lot more like me.

[villages07]

....and, one of the very few daily newspapers in the country that continues to show an increasing subscription base. At $48/yr it is a bargain and, to me, essential to knowing what's going on in and around the Villages. I get 'real' news from Television or the Internet.

Since it is privately held by the Developer, who knows whether it is a self-sustaining, profitable operation or is being heavily subsidized to 'sell houses'. I guess, as Russ points out, we'll find out when the last house is sold in 2013 or so.

So, my guess is it will be around for a long time. It fills quite a different niche than big dailies for large cities. I heard on the news the other day that the Detroit Free Press was reducing its printing schedule to something like 4 days a week.

[graciegirl]

It CAN'T CLOSE! Our grandaughter is a freshman in Journalism at Ohio University. I have already told her that she needs to come down and be the editor for the SUN! I think it would be a lot more fair and balanced if she did!

Plus she would live nearby!

I can dream can't I???

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

. It's more of a brochure than a newspaper.

In the seven plus years I have lived here I have seen an improvement. There is more state, national and international coverage.
Granted there are still a lot of "small town" articles which gives it a sophomoric appearance.
Their coverage of activities is outstanding.
Yes, it will always put the Developer in a kindly light but it is his paper.

[Russ_Boston]

Don't get me wrong - I like the paper even though I've only seen a few dozen editions since I live up here in MA.

All newspapers don't have to be the NY Times!

It fills its niche very well but time will tell if it is sustainable in terms of revenue.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

Don't get me wrong - I like the paper even though I've only seen a few dozen editions since I live up here in MA.

All newspapers don't have to be the NY Times!

It fills its niche very well but time will tell if it is sustainable in terms of revenue.

I love it!

It's one of the very few papers that don't try to over-sensationalize dribble. The paper focuses on a ten-mile radius, and keeps one well-informed of what's happening within that circle.

It would seem to be a profitable enterprise. The number of advertisements versus articles demonstrates a healthy relationship with the merchants and service providers in the area. The price to the reader is a bargain.

I've really gotten to enjoy taking the dogs out for a morning walk, then stopping by the kiosk to pick up a paper, and then going home to sit back with the morning coffee and - for the most part - GOOD NEWS to start the day.

The "home town journal" concept is very refreshing.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by downeaster

In the seven plus years I have lived here I have seen an improvement. There is more state, national and international coverage.
Granted there are still a lot of "small town" articles which gives it a sophomoric appearance.
Their coverage of activities is outstanding.
Yes, it will always put the Developer in a kindly light but it is his paper.

I think the series they did this week on the the government's secret weaponized gas experiments in the area during WWII was outstanding.
Now if they would just carry Doonesbury I would be a happy subscriber

[The Great Fumar]

The Daily Sun has made great strides sense I have been here and has now become a decent paper.......I actually enjoy reading it now...........
However if they start carrying DUNESBURY Thats when I quit ....

Fumar

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by The Great Fumar

The Daily Sun has made great strides sense I have been here and has now become a decent paper However if they start carrying DUNESBURY Thats when I quit ....
Fumar

Aww, you can choose to NOT read something, but you can't choose to not read something if it's not there.
I know what I mean

[villages07]

UU....

Check out this website:

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/


You can look at current and archived strips.

It also looks like there is a way to have an email sent to you every day of the daily strip.

Ain't this internet thang just wonderful???

[graciegirl]

Darling 07! We have got to get you mobile again. Who knows what archived things you will find on the internet if you continue to have so much time on your hands!!

Thinking of you and wishing you better SOON!

GG

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by villages07

UU....

Check out this website:

http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/


You can look at current and archived strips.

It also looks like there is a way to have an email sent to you every day of the daily strip.

Ain't this internet thang just wonderful???

Thanks so much, 07! I signed up.
with GG. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[Villages Kahuna]

The Daily Sun is a pretty decent newspaper for news of local interest. It's pretty weak when it comes to national or international news or op-ed/opinions. But it doesn't purport to be a world-class newspaper either. The Sun has a decided political lean to the far right, but what newspaper doesn't lean one way or the other? (The Economist maybe?) I don't think there's a chance that it would ever go out of business, even when TV is built-out in a decade or so (at the current rate in the lousy economy). Where else could a newspaper get virtually all the advertising and have a subscriber base of about 90% of the population?

Of course, one needs to get the "real news" occasionally. The New York Times is readily available in the grocery stores and Starbucks. They are trying to build up a subscriber base for the Sunday edition and are signing people up at various town square events. But they're not there yet. I subscribed and have been told I'm on the list for when they build up a subscriber base that's large enough to justify home delivery. From there I suppose they might try daily delivery. But it might be awhile.

I've been decidedly unimpressed with the Orlando Sentinel (a subsidiary of The Tribune Company, by the way, so it's also in bankruptcy.), as I have with the news coverage on the Orlando TV stations. But I've been told that the St. Petersburg Times is an excellent newspaper and provides much of the news outside TV that we seek occasionally. I'm going to give it a try.