Murdoch On WSJ’s NYC Edition: ‘Ready To Give NY Post Some Competition’—And One Unnamed Paper Too
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In a speech before the Real Estate Board of New York, Rupert Murdoch finally acknowledged that WSJ will launch its special New York metro edition in April. The other part everyone already knew—but has gone otherwise unsaid, publicly at least—is that the section is being aimed at challenging the NYT’s hold on local readers and major advertisers. But in his remarks, Murdoch only mentioned News Corp.‘s other major daily as being in the cross-hairs. “In the next few weeks, one of our other papers will be giving the (NY) Post some competition on their home turf. I’m talking about The Wall Street Journal.”
Although he does not mention the NYT by name, Murdoch does refer not-so-obliquely to “a certain other New York daily has essentially stopped covering the city the way it once did” and instead has focused on being more of a national newspaper interested mostly in prizes. Still, the NYT’s metro reporters have won a lot of attention for the series of stories they’ve been doing on the scandals surrounding New York Governor David Paterson. Also, the NYTimes.com has been building up its hyperlocal coverage as well for the past year and plans to launch a new East Village-oriented site by the fall.
SEE ALSO: New York Newspaper War: WSJ Making Moves To Break NYT’s Hold On Big Retailers
Still, while the NYT has completed a major layoff round a few months ago, Murdoch is promising to add more reporters for its metro expansion.
An excerpt of Murdoch’s remarks:
“You’ve probably already read a little about the new section on New York we’ll be launching next month. Let me tell you how different that alone makes us. I challenge you to find a story about newspapers today that isn’t about reducing coverage, laying off reporters, or cutting back on delivery services. When you open up a paper today, the most depressing news is often about newspapers themselves.
“Here in New York, we’re doing just the opposite. We’re adding a whole new section and taking on reporters and editors. We believe that in its pursuit of journalism prizes and a national reputation, a certain other New York daily has essentially stopped covering the city the way it once did. In so doing, they have mistakenly overlooked the most fascinating city in the world – and left the interests and concerns of people like you far behind them. I promise you this: The Wall Street Journal will not make that mistake.
“I can’t tell you all the details. I can tell you that the new section will be full color – and it will be feisty. It will cover everything that makes New York great: state politics, local politics, business, culture, and sports. Oh yes – and real estate.”
Posted In: Advertising, Local, Media & Publishing, Newspapers, Companies, News Corp., Dow Jones, Wall Street Journal, rupert murdoch
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