View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
September 5, 2012updated 07 Sep 2012 5:57pm

Oxford Times warns that ads ‘subsidy’ is receding

By Andrew Pugh

The Oxford Times is increasing its cover price by more than 50 per cent, as its editor warned readers that the once lucrative advertising revenue that “effectively subsidised” local journalism was shrinking.

The price of the Newsquest weekly will this week rise from 85p to £1.30, an increase of 53 per cent.

Group editor Simon O’Neill justified the price hike by telling readers it was a “recognition of the fact that many of the advertising sectors which effectively subsidised quality local journalism are receding and if we want to maintain our high standards and provide coverage which is high quality and comprehensive, then we must charge a fair price”.

O’Neill said the dawn of the “digital age” coupled with the worst recession since the 1930s had changed the landscape of local news “forever”.

“People can now receive news and information in print, online, or on their mobile or handheld device and not just from traditional publishers,” he said.

“This has led to a fragmentation of the audience which has hit newspaper companies across the world like a tornado.

“For some, it may prove fatal. Here in Oxford, we have not been immune.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

 

The price rise comes as the paper celebrates its 150th anniversary, and was made following a series of focus groups with readers in June.

“Their views were fed into a major overhaul of the paper aimed at making it easier to read, providing more news and information and modernising the look, without sacrificing the identity that so many readers hold dear,” added O’Neill.

“The popular Weekend section will become a pull-out to make it easier to find and we will also help readers make decisions about their leisure activities by looking ahead more.

“New writers and columnists will add breadth and depth to our coverage and there will be a year-long programme of activities, sponsorship, competitions and offers to mark the paper’s 150th year.”

O’Neill also insisted that “despite what the doom mongers say, print is not dead”, adding that “The Oxford Times will survive and flourish in the digital age.”

The paper’s history will be celebrated in a 28-page supplement to mark its anniversary this week.

ABC figures released last week show circulation on the paper fell 12 per cent to 14,210 in the first half of 2012. 

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network