Montreal Gazette to cut Monday print edition
Storied newspaper the Montreal Gazette announced Wednesday it will no longer produce a Monday print edition, citing "rapidly changing news consumption habits" of its readers.
The change will take effect on Oct. 17. An online version of the paper will continue to be published on Mondays, and subscription rates won't change.
"The decision reflects the rapidly changing news consumption habits of our readers, the needs of our advertisers and the escalating costs of printing and delivering a printed product," wrote Editorial Senior Vice-President Gerry Nott in a statement on the paper's website.
"News happens 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our commitment to you is to deliver it quickly, honestly and thoroughly as reader consumption habits continue to shift," he wrote.
The Gazette is one of nine Postmedia papers scrapping their Monday prints.
The Vancouver Sun, The Province, Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, Ottawa Citizen, and the Ottawa Sun will also be affected.
Postmedia spokesperson Phyllise Gelfand told The Canadian Press there are no job cuts tied to the change, and that the company is focused on "going where (its) readers are."
"We will continue to evaluate the needs and preferences of our audiences and customers," she said. "That may include other initiatives though I have nothing specific to announce at this time."
Postmedia newspapers are displayed in Ottawa on January 8, 2010. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
THIRD QUARTER LOSSES IN PRINT, GAINS IN DIGITAL
The change comes after the company reported print losses in its third quarter, while digital revenue grew.
Postmedia bought Brunswick News Inc. on March 25 for $7.5 million plus 4.1 million variable voting shares, taking ownership of the company’s daily and weekly newspapers, digital properties and parcel delivery business.
After the acquisition, Postmedia reported a 3.1 per cent year-over-year increase in print advertising revenue in the three months prior to May 31. Excluding the financial impact of the deal, the company reported a loss of $1.6 million, or 4.3 per cent.
It also saw losses in print circulation revenue amounting to $2.5 million, or 5.9 per cent, year-over-year. Losses were deeper excluding the acquisition, at $4.5 million, or 10.4 per cent, "as a result of decreases in circulation volumes, partially offset by price increases," the company said.
Digital revenue increased, however, by $6.9 million, raking in $30.3 million for the company in the third quarter.
Apart from the Brunswick acquisition, the company attributed that growth to increases in digital marketing services and "off-network programmatic digital advertising."
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Second Cup closes Montreal franchise over hateful incident
Second Cup Café has closed one of its franchise locations in Montreal following allegations of hateful remarks and gestures made by the franchisee in a video that was widely circulated online during a pro-Palestinian protest on Thursday.
‘It’s pretty emotional:’ N.B. family escape fire, plan to rebuild home
A family in Riverview, N.B., is making plans for Christmas and the future after escaping a fire in their home on November, 14.
Cargo ship runs aground in St. Lawrence River near Morrisburg, Ont.
A large cargo ship remains stuck in the St. Lawrence River after running aground on Saturday afternoon.
Scurvy resurgence highlights issues of food insecurity in Canada's rural and remote areas
A disease often thought to only affect 18th century sailors is reemerging in Canada.
B.C. man awarded $800K in damages after being injured by defective bear banger
A B.C. man has been awarded nearly $800,000 in damages as compensation for injuries he sustained from a defective bear banger, according to a recent court decision.
A man called 911 for help during a home invasion. Las Vegas police fatally shot him
A Las Vegas man called for police help during a home invasion before an officer fatally shot him, according to authorities and 911 calls.
Cat caught in hunting snare rescued by BC SPCA
Donations are ramping up for a BC SPCA cat with a mangled paw after being caught in a hunting snare, one of a rising number of pets to fall prey to the hunting device.
These royal residences are opening their doors this Christmas
Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech.
'Still working full time on it:' One year later police continue to search for gunman in Caledon double murder linked to ex-Olympian
One year after a couple was shot and killed in their Caledon home in what investigators have described as a case of mistaken identity, Ontario Provincial Police say they are still trying to figure out who pulled the trigger.