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Murdoch May Take Journal Online Only

News Corp. could run a paper without paper, subscriptions

By Heather McPherson,  Newser User

Posted Aug 1, 2007 4:45 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Rupert Murdoch’s grab for the Wall Street Journal could mark the demise of hard-copy newspapers and their online subscriptions, Bernhard Warner predicts in Murdoch’s own Times Online. Warner says turning the Journal’s subscription-based website into a free, ad-supported business will be among Murdoch’s top priorities as the new owner of Dow Jones, and may mean the end of the paper edition as well.

With the easy availability of online news, 24-hour news channels, and blogs, Warner says readers no longer want to pay for news on dead trees, evidenced by falling print readership. Dow Jones, Warner argues, lost money on the Journal’s web business because of subscriptions, but Murdoch may finally usher in an era of “realism and inevitability” about the fading print industry.

Rupert Murdoch has sealed a deal to buy Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Co. for $5 billion, ending a century of family ownership and adding a crown jewel to his global media empire, News Corp. (AP Photo/Mel Evans, file)
Rupert Murdoch has sealed a deal to buy Wall Street Journal publisher Dow Jones & Co. for $5 billion, ending a century of family ownership and adding a crown jewel to his global media empire, News Corp....   (Associated Press)
The traditional subscription-based Wall Street Journal reports on its own new ownership.
The traditional subscription-based Wall Street Journal reports on its own new ownership.   (Associated Press)
A traveler reads the Wall Street Journal. News Corp. and Dow Jones announced early Wednesday morning that they signed a definitive merger agreement after the deal won sufficient support to pass from a deeply divided Bancroft family, which has controlled the storied newspaper publisher for generations. (AP Photo/Kiichiro Sato)
A traveler reads the Wall Street Journal. News Corp. and Dow Jones announced early Wednesday morning that they signed a definitive merger agreement after the deal won sufficient support to pass from a...   (Associated Press)
Dow Jones announces its own acquisition by Murdoch and his global media empire, News Corp. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
Dow Jones announces its own acquisition by Murdoch and his global media empire, News Corp. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)   (Associated Press)
Murdoch addressed the issue of an online conversion, saying It would be successful, it would work and you'd make...a little bit of money. Then again, the Journal and The Times make very little money now. (AP Photo/David Karp)
Murdoch addressed the issue of an online conversion, saying "It would be successful, it would work and you'd make...a little bit of money. Then again, the Journal and The Times make very little money...   (Associated Press)
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Internet • newspaper • Rupert Murdoch • Wall Street Journal • Dow Jones • News Corp

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