Quotes are delayed for at least 15 minutes. Real-time quotes provided by BATS B’x real-time Price. Market data provided by interactive data (terms and Conditions

This material may not be published, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed. ©2019 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Frequently asked questions-Updated privacy policy

Commentator John Burnett, radio host Carol Roth, investment adviser Gary Kaltbaum and FOX Business ‘ Christina Partsinevelos and David Asman cover the pros and cons of Newspapers going digital.

A staple of American life – especially for hotel guests – for nearly the past 40 years may disappear as the major restructuring of the US Today can be seen gradually fading from the print edition of the national newspaper.

Continue reading below

US today the parent company, Gannett, is set to be acquired by New Media Investment Group for $ 1.4 billion New Media Investment Group already owns GateHouse Media and its 154 daily Newspapers is planning major restructurings that will include creating digital marketing while hitting the print edition according to the media website, Poynter.

The merger will not be closed for at least another month, but already staff problems are making their way into digital publications. One source told Poynter that Gannett’s new CEO Paul Baskobert “indicated he’s not impressed with the U.S. today”,

USA Today cites data from the Alliance for verified MEDIA in its media kit that States “the average daily paid circulation Monday-Friday is 726,906.” Poyntner reports that the paid circulation was 178,000, plus another 342,000 hotel distributions, for which hotel chains pay a substantially reduced rate.

However, either the US today figures or Poynter’s 5,20000 combined circulation (paid hotel) is a massive dip from the 2,289,000 that US Today claimed in 2007 – when it competed with the Wall Street Journal for the lead role in the paid circulation.

Despite employee leaks and declining U.S. sales figures Today, publisher Maribel Perez Wadsworth, responded to Poynter with an email denying any type of demise for the U.S. today. “Gannett has no plans to discontinue the us today print edition, which remains an important part of our business.”

As for the impact of the upcoming merger, Wadsworth added: “We believe the combination of our two companies will transform the landscape in print and digital business news and, once the transaction closes, we look forward to delivering on attractive benefits to audiences, customers, employees and shareholders.”

Baskobert, the new CEO, seemed to contradict his publisher’s email in a weekly note sent to Gannett executives: “Our U.S. TODAY and local print products are still great businesses for us with loyal customer bases. However, we must respond to the preferences of consumers who are moving to consume news online and mobile devices. To be clear, the decision will be made in the market telling us where we should focus.” The letter was received by Poynter on Thursday, the day after he published his original story.

However, after four years of offering 35 of its largest us local Newspapers today a branded section on national and international news, Gannett discontinued the section after touting its potential for the growth of the US today and local news business model.

The move represents a significant reduction in printing, wiping out the distribution of hundreds of thousands of copies. The editor told Poynter that the sections were simply too expensive relative to the revenue they generated.

“Gannett has no plans to discontinue the us today print edition, which remains an important part of our business.” 

USA Today’s main website remains free, monetized by a large volume of ads with geo-targeted options.

David Chavern, President

Government data for USA Today – part of the Alliance for verified media’s second-quarter circulation report-shows that the newspaper is indeed delivering on its promise to be available nationwide. In all 50 States, readers can get a copy of the paper in hard copy. Sales range from a low of 266 in Montana to more than 49,000 in California.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

Gatehouse and Gannett executives promised $ 275 million to $ 300 million in “synergy” savings as justification for the merger. Eliminating, or even just scaling back the US today in print, would add up to a healthy advance on that goal.

The new Media-Gannett merger still needs to be approved by shareholders. Both companies have scheduled meetings for November 14. If approved, the new company will retain the Gannett name, although New Media will respond.

About half of the $1.4 billion purchase price will be in New Media shares, and its shares have fallen in value by 24% since the deal was announced on August 1. Gannett’s management recommends approval, essentially saying the company doesn’t have the best strategic options.

USA Today was launched in 1982, the creation of Gannett’s acclaimed CEO al Neuhart. With its colorful look that was unique at the time, the paper was derisively called “McPaper” for its many abbreviated news nuggets. USA Today lost more than $ 200 million in the first five years before turning a profit. It took an expanded investigative unit and stronger opinion and coverage in Washington to gain greater recognition of what the U.S. is doing journalistically today.

Quotes are delayed for at least 15 minutes. Real-time quotes provided by BATS B’x real-time Price. Market data provided by interactive data (terms and Conditions

This material may not be published, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed. ©2019 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Frequently asked questions-Updated privacy policy