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
219 Media sales icon Chris Lytle shares tried and true insights that still apply today.
218 A new film tells a story of how hedge funds are destroying local journalism.
217 The future of “big tech” compensation, now that Google's $100 million deal with Canada is law
216 Shannon Kinney’s entrepreneurial advice
215 Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins. A one-on-one with the SPJ’s new president.
214 Marty Baron discusses his new book, his experiences at The Post and his views on news media today
213 Unpacking the Medill "State of Local News" report
212 A 16-year-old launches a news site that is out-reporting the local Gannett "ghost paper."
211 An email cry for help saves this 138-year-old newspaper from extinction
210 Ryan Dohrn’s “ad sales punch list” to maximize revenue into 2024.
209 Small North Carolina community is now a two-newspaper town.
208 Branding is back: The latest Borrell study un-packed.
207 Checking in with the Chicago Sun-Times/ Public Media merger.
206 Community leaders speak frankly about losing their local paper and having a new publication start within 30 days.
205 A mission is to transform global news coverage by recruiting, training and then employing women journalists world-wide.
204 Arizona's newspaper and broadcast associations merge into Arizona Media Association.
203 A reluctant witness for Google’s antitrust defense. One-on-One with, Kenny Katzgrau
202 One-on-one with industry veteran John Ellis
201 Exploring NOLA Advocate’s digital-only Shreveport expansion into a Gannett market that still prints six days a week.
200 The USA TODAY Best-Selling Books List is back. Meet the new editor, Barbara VanDenburgh.
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