Detroit Media Partnership Transform

General FAQs

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What changes are being made to the newspapers? To freep.com and detnews.com?

Home delivery will be available on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Subscribers will have access to an electronic "e-edition" seven days a week as part of their subscription. This "e-edition" allows you to see an exact copy of the newspaper - including all the advertising - on your computer. It can be printed, and will include many additional features such as the ability to change print size and search for specific content relevant to you. You can access these editions for free by going to www.edetroitnews.com and www.digitalfreepress.com.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, retail outlets and coin boxes will sell the same editions home delivery subscribers receive. The other four days - Monday through Wednesday, and Saturday - we will produce innovative, newly-designed single copy editions. Both newspapers are finalizing their plans with input from readers. They will be available at 18,000 stores and coin boxes across Michigan in the first quarter of 2009.

Why is the change being made?

Economics. Advertising, including classified, is down. Costs are up. We are changing our model in order to survive in a world that has changed. We are listening to readers and advertisers, and responding to their changing habits and needs. The future of news and information delivery is electronic, and we are focusing our considerable resources - and Michigan's largest news-gathering staffs - on serving those changing needs, while also maintaining seven day newspapers.

Why is this change being announced so far in advance?

These two newspapers are a vital part of our community and an important part of our readers' daily lives. As we finalize plans during the weeks ahead, we wanted to give readers, advertisers and community leaders the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.

Go to www.freep.com/transform or www.detnews.com/transform for more information and to share your ideas.

When will the changes to the newspapers and Web sites take place?

In the first quarter of 2009.

What reaction do you expect from advertisers? Have you received any indication that they are cutting back or adding to their schedules?

In anticipation of this change we spoke with national and local advertisers. Most applauded this transformative effort, which puts us in the forefront of our industry's plans to meet the changing needs of our customers.

Why were Thursday, Friday and Sunday selected as the days for home delivery?

Sunday is currently our largest newspaper of the week, with the highest readership. On Thursday and Friday, readers are increasingly using the newspapers to plan their weekends, and the Play and My Time entertainment sections are popular because of this trend. As we currently operate, we also know from spending patterns and from discussions with advertisers that the widest distribution on these days is an important component of their sales and promotional strategies.

Why weren't the prices of home delivery increased to keep seven-day delivery?

Experience and reader feedback tell us that many readers would cancel their subscriptions if prices were raised, and there would not have been enough revenue to support our vast seven-day home delivery operations. In the past, advertising revenue has been strong enough to subsidize home delivery costs. This is no longer the case, and we do not see this changing in the future.

What will the newly-designed print editions be like?

This is still a work in progress. We'll share more with you as we approach implementing these changes. In the meantime, go to www.freep.com/transform and www.detnews.com/transform for status reports - and to provide your own thoughts and ideas

Will the changes affect the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News on the same timeline?

Yes.

How many Detroit Media Partnership employees will be affected by these changes? And which departments will be hit the hardest?

We are reviewing positions and staffing for 2009. These have not been finalized and will be subject to negotiations with the unions where appropriate.

Is this a way of slowly shutting down one newspaper?

Detroit continues to be a great town for newspapers. This plan ensures that two, vibrant and distinct newspaper voices remain for decades to come.

How many Detroit Media Partnership employees will be affected by these changes?

There will be some staffing reductions as a result of these changes. The extent of these reductions is not known at this time but will be announced soon.

How will these changes affect readership of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News?

Readership of newspapers across the country has for years been declining and Detroit is no different. Since '02 the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News have lost 19% and 22% of its readership respectively. These changes will more directly address the way audiences choose to receive news and information.

Who decided that these are the changes that should be made?

The Detroit Media Partnership leadership team made the non-editorial decisions. Each newsroom independently made their own decisions about what changes to make.

What about people who don't have access to the Internet?

For those who do not have access to the Internet, there are more than 18,000 convenient locations throughout Michigan where people can buy the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News seven days a week. Some of these locations include Kroger, Meijer, Speedway, CVS, Wal-greens, 7-11 and stores like them. The circulation department is always looking for new locations and welcomes your suggestions.

Mail subscription packages are also available on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Will the Detroit Media Partnership as well as the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News continue their active support of community organizations?

Without a doubt. Each organization is proud to serve the needs of Southeastern Michigan and will continue to inform, educate, donate and support the many worthy causes and charities in our communities.

My carrier has been delivering my newspaper(s) for xx years; does this mean carriers will be out of work?

We will be offering new contracts to our carriers for their consideration.

What do these changes mean to the Detroit Media Partnership's locations in Sterling Heights; to their other production, warehousing or transportation sites?

The Sterling Heights Operations Facility is one of the best printing plants in the United States and will continue to serve as the production and distribution hub of our operations.

Is this a temporary change? Will seven-day home delivery be re-introduced?

This is not a temporary change. Media habits have transformed and now demand a faster and multi-channel distribution model.

How will these changes affect the Detroit Free Press' and The Detroit News' ability to attract and retain top reporting and management talent?

These changes put us at the head of the information era. This bold transformation will ensure that top quality journalism continues in two independent and distinct newspapers and will be a driving force in attracting new talent. Without these changes we could not sustain these newspapers.

Some newspapers have introduced similar express editions like in Chicago to wide criticism. How do these two differ?

Technology has impacted the way people consume news and information. In Detroit we are embracing this fact and using it to ensure this remains a city with two, distinct newspaper voices and delivers news to audiences when and how they want it.

What does this transition mean for other Gannett Co., Inc. and MediaNews Group newspapers? Is this a corporate move that intends to use Detroit as a test pilot?

This Detroit Media Partnership manages the business functions of the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News. This implementation is a local and autonomous decision.

Is this a rogue move by the Detroit Media Partnership? Does this effort have the full backing of Gannett Co., Inc. and MediaNews Group?

Gannett and MediaNews Group executives have been involved during this planning process.

Will the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News at some point stop printing newspapers altogether?

Our plans are to continue to print newspapers seven days a week

Are these changes really a signal that Detroit Media Partnership is going out of business?

On the contrary, these changes are being made to ensure that Detroit and Michigan will continue to be served by two strong, independent news-gathering organizations for many years to come.

How will these changes affect Detroit Media Partnership's market share? Revenue? Readership?

We believe that giving readers and advertisers what they want is always good business. Our expectation is that these moves will make our products more appealing and useful to our customers, and will help strengthen our position in the marketplace.