Chicagoist: Sun-Times Overstated Circulation

Pat

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 17:44:44 -0600

The Trib included a Redeye with my home delivered copy yesterday and today. I didn't request it, didn't pay for it, don't want it and have no use for it. Nothing like that with my daily Sun-Times. So does the Trib count that unrequested Redeye as paid? I suppose that's one way to drive up the numbers. Mr. Redeye meet Mr. Bluebag.

Don

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 11:20:12 -0600

Oops. Apparently, the Tribune has problems with overstating the circulation for both the Spanish-language Hoy and Newsday in New York: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0406180306jun18,1,7866324.story?coll=chi-business-hed The main difference for me is that the Tribune isn't trying to sell Hoy or Newsday, while Hollinger was trying to sell the Sun-Times at one point, and overstating its circulation would affect any bid from potential buyers.

Don

Thu, 17 Jun 2004 16:46:50 -0600

I think both newspapers are spinning their wheels with the dumbed-down Red Bull newspapers. USA Today has better news coverage than those rags, and the idea that a younger news reader can't pay attention or needs bright graphics is both insulting and clueless. Both of these papers have the smell of design-by-committee, and I can't help but picture the Simpsons episode where Poochie was created when I try to envision the creation of the Reds. That being said, I could care less about the RedEye's made-up numbers, given that it is hardly a major newspaper in this city. Both of the Reds could die tomorrow, and the Sun-Times will still have this circulation fiasco on their hands. (Ironically, my grandfather worked in the circulation department for both the Daily News and the Sun-Times, and was one of the few Field-era employees that didn't immediately get let go after Rupert Murdoch bought out the paper in the 80s. I don't doubt that he is shaking his head in disgust at his long-ago former employer, since it has really fallen hard in the last 20 years.)

Norm

Thu, 17 Jun 2004 14:14:06 -0600

One other thing: the Tribune Co. should be the LAST ones to gloat about all this, considering the circulation shennanigans they have been busted for in regards to the RedEye. (Long story short: they were telling advertisers that RedEye circulated at 150,000, half of them paid. An audit turned up they were only circulating around 70,000 and that they were only selling *nine thousand* paid copies per day. Why the trixie-laden Lincoln Park watering holes still line up to advertise in that paper is beyond me...)

Bob Cook

Thu, 17 Jun 2004 10:23:29 -0600

There's little overlap in the Trib and S-T ads -- I can't imagine all the windows, door and carpet companies going over to the Trib. However, I can imagine the Trib trying to yank up their rates if the S-T dies. Which I don't think it will anytime soon, if only because it'll at least keep going as long as Hollinger and Black are in court, which appears to be a long time.

Norm

Thu, 17 Jun 2004 10:15:22 -0600

Backer, suffice it to say you know nothing about my reading habits, pal.

Andy

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 18:32:34 -0600

And really, why shouldn't the Trib gloat? Some undue pressure has been released, and you'd better believe some if not all advertisers are going to see the a Trib ad as a better buy than a Sun-Times ad.

The Backer

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 17:01:28 -0600

Norm, I thought the USA Today would be more your speed, you know, with lots of colorful pictures.

Wha_da_who_da

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 16:43:52 -0600

Just how deep is "ass deep"?

Norm

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 16:41:28 -0600

What made you figure that?

The Backer

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 16:19:28 -0600

Norm, I figured you were a USA Today reader ... or read nothing but The Vineline

Norm

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 15:21:45 -0600

One quibble: there were at least four serious bidders for Hollinger's Chicago group, but the offers were far below what Hollinger apparently thinks they are worth. Also, there was a report that Hollinger is waiting 12-18 months to sell in order to avoid a tax burden that would kick in if they sold the Chicago group this year. I'd hate to see the Sun-Times go away, too, even if Hollinger has damn near killed it in recent years with sleazy tabloid tendencies and a nasty, partisan, right-wing editorial bent. But I'd love to see it continue... under new management.

Barrett

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 14:35:31 -0600

Many of us who read the Tribune more frequently woudl hate to see the Sun-Times go away. The Trib does a better job on national and international news, but the Sun-Times scoops them on local issues quite often. The last thing any news reader in Chicago should want is a one-newspaper town (and no, the Daily Herald doesn't count).