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
179 Six diverse news disrupters band together to create the Alliance for Sustainable Local News
178 Small-town citizens share support for the saving of their newspaper.
177 Foreign affairs expert Richard Haass asks us to be a “better informed” citizenry in his latest book.
176 Ryan Dohrn on selling in a post-covid marketplace and why he is “all in” on Niche Media
175 Medford, Oregon: As one paper dies, another begins all in a few weeks.
174 Meet the Pulitzer Prize ADN journalist who helped inspire ABC's "Alaska Daily."
173 University of Oregon journalism chair asks Gannet to donate The Eugene Register-Guard to the school.
172 Steve Waldman’s Rebuild Local News Coalition — aggregating industry advocacy
171 The Bucks County Herald: A story of survival, moving from family to foundation-owned
170 Ken Doctor pulls no punches on why the JCPA was a bad idea & updates us on two years at Lookout Local.
169 The JCPA. What the heck happened, and what's next?
168 Emmy award-winning broadcaster born without legs is helping others with disabilities find media careers. Meet Dave Stevens.
167 Journalism Trust Initiative. Elevating journalistic integrity
166 This year’s “best-ofs” from E&P columnist/ contributor Rob Tornoe
165 The best of 2022 E&P's "The Corner Office," from consultant/ columnist Doug Phares
164 A frank one-on-one with the LMA's Nancy Lane
163 ProPublica founder Dick Tofel speaks on funding/ philanthropy flaws and more
162 Against big tech comp, paywalls & more. 1-on-1 with Jeff Jarvis
161 One-on-one with Community Impact’s John Garrett
160 Mourning a newspaper's death through the words of the residents impacted
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