Dr. Iris Chyi is an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin, specializing in media economics, and well-known for benchmarking reader demand for the print and digital content provided by major market newspapers.
A few years ago, she caused a stir in the industry by describing through data that the digital content that the top 50 newspapers provide was being perceived as an “inferior good” by their readers. She went on to compare digital non-replica news sites as “Raman noodles,” and the print editions to steak, stating that people tend to perceive online newspapers as less likable and less satisfying. In her book, “Trial and Error: U.S. Newspapers’ Digital Struggles toward Inferiority,” she challenges U.S. newspapers’ technology-driven strategy, calling for a critical reassessment of the future of the industry.
In her latest research, “The Impact of COVID-19 on 20 U.S. Newspapers’ Print and Digital Circulation,” Dr. Chyi takes a hard look at empirical data on the impact of COVID-19 with these selected publications. The report reveals that even through digital subscriptions went up by 64 percent between 2019 and Q3 2020, print circulation dropped by an average of 21 percent. Data showed that the average price charged for digital access is now $181 a year, while seven-day print subscription rates are $1,052 a year. The report states that this price gap shows it takes nearly six new digital subscribers to make up for the loss of one print subscriber.
In this edition of “E&P REPORTS,” Dr. Chyi reviews the findings of her April 2021 report with E&P publisher Mike Blinder.
Dr. Chyi's 2020 Report: The Impact of Covid-19 on 20 U.S. Newspapers’ Print and Digital Circulation
Dr. Chyis' 2017 Report: An Empirical Analysis of 50 U.S. Newspapers’ Digital Subscription Results
60 The LGBTQ+ Reader is Big Business for Aequalitas Media
58 A look at: "Publishing During A Pandemic" a Free Book from Mr. Magazine!
57 Checking-in with Gordon Borrell on State of the Industry
56 Non-Profit, Pure Play Daily Memphian is Making News in Memphis
55 The Future of Local News Media: Hear from Experts
54 Checking-in with the Tampa Bay Times, Now Printing 2 Days a Week
53 Ken Doctor Finally Reveals Lookout Local
52 Survey Asks: “What’s It Like to be a Journalist in 2020?"
51 Chris Hendricks Talks EPPYS with E&P
50 The Local Journalism Sustainability Act Needs Your Help, Now!
49 Small Market Paper Strives to Survive COVID-19
48 Saving the Vindicator!
46 How the Local Journalism Sustainability Act Will Provide Newsroom Tax Credits
47 The Relevance Project Helps Newspapers Boost Their Brand
45 Re-Visiting the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's Free I-Pad Project
44 Standardizing Sales Packages = Higher Closing Ratios
43 How the Idaho Press Grew Circulation by More Than 40 Percent
42 Borrell’s Revised Ad Forecast Has Some Good News for Newspapers
41 Charleston Post & Courier is Going Statewide
40 New Study Reveals Local Media Leaders’ New Normal Predictions
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