THE NIGHTMARE GALLOPS ON: PT 1
We fear a trend may be setting in: Editor & Publisher reported January 16 that the Atlanta Journal-Constitution dropped 11
of its comic strip line-up, reducing the roster from 36 strips to 25. As we’ve
speculated here recently, dropping syndicated comic strips is another way
financially strapped newspapers can save money, several thousand a year in fees
if they drop the most popular strips.
The Houston Chronicle announced in November
that although they are printing all of their comics in color, they are dropping
a full page of comics. The dropped comics will still be carried on their online
offerings. Alan Gardner at the DailyCartoonist explained: “Why is the paper
doing this? It’s a cost-cutting measure. The Chronicle has run more comics than other newspapers for years, but syndication
fees and increases in the cost of newsprint make these changes necessary. The
decision was made only after other serious cost-cutting measures were
implemented at the paper.” And in early January, the New York Daily News reportedly dropped a quarter of its comics
line-up, effectively five strips, saith Tom Spurgeon, quoted by Gardner
On the
other hand, Gardner
But the
news ain’t all bad: as restaurants all around the country — around the
world — anticipated dismal fourth quarter earnings, McDonald’s posted a profit
beyond the estimates of hapless Wall Street. Said Lauren Shepherd at the
Associated Press: “McDonald’s fared well in the quarter due largely to its low
prices and the reach of its ubiquitous Golden Arches.” McDonald’s has also
managed to “reduce operating costs and expenses despite higher beef, cheese,
and other ingredient costs” while, at the same time, improving the quality of
its food.
And then, strangely, we have the Denver Post, eagerly gobbling up the entire roster of comic strips published by suddenly deceased rival, the Rocky Mountain News. About which, more in a trice.
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