Belo to Cut 250 Jobs, Most at Dallas (Morning News) Paper

[UpInArms]

http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Business/ap20040929_619.html

DALLAS Sept. 29, 2004 — Media owner Belo Corp. said Wednesday that it would cut 250 jobs, mostly at its flagship newspaper, The Dallas Morning News, and that an internal investigation shows the projected circulation decline at the newspaper would be slightly steeper than previously forecast.

Belo said the layoffs, amounting to 3 percent of its total work force, were prompted by flat revenue since 2001 in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where it also owns a television station. The layoffs are expected to occured by Nov. 1.

Dallas-based Belo said the Morning News' circulation would fall 11.9 percent on Sundays and 5.1 percent on other days for the six months ended Sept. 30 compared to a year earlier. The company had said last month the declines would be 11.5 percent on Sundays and 5 percent other days.

<snip>

Belo also said it expected to cut $10 million in losses by closing three local cable news channels it ran with Time Warner Cable. Belo hinted it could save another $1.7 million by closing a similar channel in Texas.

...more...

[Ezlivin]

1. And this past Sunday it supported the election of Bush

A nice editorial in the Sunday edition spoke of the need to elect Bush. (Naturally, they chose to say "re-elect".)

Gee, if the Bush supporters are having it hard, what's to become of the rest of us free-thinkers?

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. Is Dallas illiterate? People there don't read?

Geez. I am sure it's a one newspaper town. Texas obviously has more than its fair share of hicks.

[anarchy1999]

3. I'm cheering!!! WhoooHoooo!!! FINALLY!

I'm sorry for those losing their jobs, but Belo has been asking for this for quite some time. Having lived in the area for 30+ years I know of what I speak. Since the other paper was put under by Belo (The Dallas Times Herald), The Dallas Morning News has steadily detoriated. I used to subscribe and in the last several years I've almost stopped reading it ever and I very rarely pay for one.

More and more people I talk with never read it anymore either and I hear of canceled subscriptions all the time.

In response to #2, Dallas is not full of hicks and most of us are not illiterate. This is why Belo is struggling with circulation. Many that read and want to stay informed no longer rely upon the DMN as a source of viable "news".

(Protests have been being held all month in front of Belo "flagship hdqts.", for their failure to be our 4th estate to inform the citizens of this community)

Sorry Belo, you've been asking for it.

[CarlWoodward]

4. Another paper

There is a better (and slightly more Democrat-friendly) newspaper across town in Fort Worth. I've been a subscriber since I cancelled my Dallas Morning Snooze subscription a few years back. I'm not sure you can get the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Dallas proper, though.

[anarchy1999]

5. I was talking with someone just the other day about the Star and we

both agreed it is a far superior paper and you are correct, we can not get it in Dallas proper. Belo thought they could keep the competition out and survive. Well, looks like they're surviving all right, on life support.

[Raster]

6. Death to Belo(w). I was waiting to hear if they were going to endorse...

...$hrub. Now I know. Right-wing repuke rag.