It has been a topic of much debate whether the New York Times would have a printed edition in 10 years. Recently, the publisher of the newspaper, A.G. Sulzberger, addressed this question and put anxieties to rest. At a recent news event to honor a lifetime achievement award recipient, Sulzberger was asked whether there would still be a printed edition of The New York Times in 10 years. He confidently declared this will not be the case.
The newspaper publisher explained that the ‘walled garden’ era of limiting what people can access is over. The days where print subscribers were given exclusive access to content are gone due to digital growth and technological advances. He also stated that while they will remain committed to quality journalism, they will look to deliver stories in a variety of formats that meet the needs of an evolving audience.
Sulzberger acknowledged there will always be people who appreciate the solidity and comfort of reading the paper version and for them, he promised it will still be available to buy in stores and be delivered at home. But, he said that more importantly, he wanted them to understand that their commitment to excellence will remain even with it moving into a digital realm so as not to alienate any readers.
It’s clear Sulzberger has his mind set on The New York Times taking advantage of digital literature for the making of conversations and building meaningful relationships with diverse crowds. It looks like true connection is something we should expect to see from The New York Times in 10 years and beyond!
The future of print media has been a hot topic of discussion in the journalism industry for some time, and this week New York Times Publisher A.G. Sulzberger addressed the issue with a resounding prediction: print will still be around in ten years. In a keynote speech at the Financial Times Future of News Summit, Sulzberger declared that the “Walled Garden Era” of content is over and the advancement of technology is pushing the need for more flexible content and evolving platforms.
Sulzberger noted that while consumers are certainly pleased with the convenience and range of access that digital media provides, they’re also continuing to show appreciation and loyalty towards printed publications as well. This shift in demand combined with advancements in technology, including automation and printing capabilities, has enabled publishers to efficiently provide their audience with value across all channels.
The Times publisher believes that this focus on delivering adaptable content is vital for any news publication to survive in a digital world. He went on to explain that print media is alive and well, and should remain a significant part of news outlets’ strategies since it has the potential to engage readers in ways digital media simply can’t, whether via tactile experiences or visual formats. To illustrate this point, he cited “The 1619 Project,” an ambitious multi-platform journalism project by the Times which won both Pulitzer Prize awards and inspired countless conversations and debates.
Sulzberger’s declaration isn’t a guarantee that print publications won’t dwindle in 10 years, but it does suggest that if news outlets continue to stay ahead of technological trends and create compelling content across all platforms, there is still a chance for them to maintain relevancy against their digital counterparts for years to come.