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Sounding off
We've made some changes to The Mercury in recent weeks, some more popular than others. But once again, the lasting reminder to us is how much our readers care. And sometimes, we are surprised at what they care about.
First, the TV book, or Channels as it was officially called. The decision to eliminate a separate publication of TV listings was an economic decision made for the group of newspapers of which we are a part. And, it was not a bad decision.
The cost of producing such a book has become greater than the demand for it in today's digital programming age when listings are available in other sources. We know it was convenient for many of our readers, and we know that some people miss it.
But the cost of producing it had become greater than the return. And we are at the end of the day a company with expense and the need to make a profit. If those who make these decisions do not consider costs versus return, they would not be doing their jobs.
Nonetheless we take seriously the complaints of our readers, and we continue to try to include in our daily listings as much as possible so that we do not shortchange readers on information, even if it is not in a convenient book format.
We're still working out the kinks. Just today, a reader called to ask why we took God's channel out of the listings. She was referring to the Trinity Broadcasting Service. She said she suspected it was a plot against Christians by Muslims. I assured her the listings service just missed it, and we will try to get it back.
Eliminating the TV book had another effect on the daily paper. The expanded daily TV listings took away the spot we use for the popular Sound Off column. To find another home for Sound Off, we decided to do away with the World News at a Glance fixture on A2 and put Sound Off there. World news is still in the paper, but it is on regular news pages and not part of a packaged feature.
We have been surprised at the number of callers who have told us they disagree with this move and want the nation/world news back on A2. We are in fact delighted that readers enjoyed that feature, and we had not previously had any feedback to let us know it was popular. As a result, we are analyzing the news space to see if we can find a different home for Sound Off and put World News at a Glance back on A2.
Stay tuned, and stay in touch. We really do pay attention.
First, the TV book, or Channels as it was officially called. The decision to eliminate a separate publication of TV listings was an economic decision made for the group of newspapers of which we are a part. And, it was not a bad decision.
The cost of producing such a book has become greater than the demand for it in today's digital programming age when listings are available in other sources. We know it was convenient for many of our readers, and we know that some people miss it.
But the cost of producing it had become greater than the return. And we are at the end of the day a company with expense and the need to make a profit. If those who make these decisions do not consider costs versus return, they would not be doing their jobs.
Nonetheless we take seriously the complaints of our readers, and we continue to try to include in our daily listings as much as possible so that we do not shortchange readers on information, even if it is not in a convenient book format.
We're still working out the kinks. Just today, a reader called to ask why we took God's channel out of the listings. She was referring to the Trinity Broadcasting Service. She said she suspected it was a plot against Christians by Muslims. I assured her the listings service just missed it, and we will try to get it back.
Eliminating the TV book had another effect on the daily paper. The expanded daily TV listings took away the spot we use for the popular Sound Off column. To find another home for Sound Off, we decided to do away with the World News at a Glance fixture on A2 and put Sound Off there. World news is still in the paper, but it is on regular news pages and not part of a packaged feature.
We have been surprised at the number of callers who have told us they disagree with this move and want the nation/world news back on A2. We are in fact delighted that readers enjoyed that feature, and we had not previously had any feedback to let us know it was popular. As a result, we are analyzing the news space to see if we can find a different home for Sound Off and put World News at a Glance back on A2.
Stay tuned, and stay in touch. We really do pay attention.
posted by Nancy March at
2:55 PM
2 Comments:
I cannot believe there are no comments to your "Sounding Off" posts. I am a former North Coventry resident, (left in '82 and heading back this summer for a few months). Regarding the format of the Mercury, please keep as much relevant news (world,national) up front. Even though you boost the info from the wires, it adds value to your product. I don't think the obits need to be page one material, kind of creepy and paints a negative tone. Hint, advertising revenue. Even though I am 1300 miles away, I still like to follow the local action. See you in a couple weeks.
I know exactly why you put "Sound Off" and the obits up front: Those two items are the only reason to buy the paper.
People want to know who's dead, and read the (usually bitter) grumblings of their neighbors.
Real News? You get that on the Internet. Reading your local news and right-wing blog-columns are, for lack of a better term, depressing.
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