MNN - Mother Nature Network

The Times-Picayune, the largest newspaper in New Orleans, said Thursday it would end daily print publication, moving to a schedule of three issues per week, to adapt to "an increasingly digital age."

 

The move creates a new company called the NOLA Media Group which will "significantly increase its online news-gathering efforts 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while offering enhanced printed newspapers on a schedule of three days a week," a statement from the daily said.

 

"The change is intended to reshape how the New Orleans area's dominant news organization delivers its award-winning local news, sports and entertainment coverage in an increasingly digital age."

 

The newspaper, which traces its history to 1837, will be home-delivered and sold in stores on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

 

The decision signals a change in the way news is delivered to "an increasingly wired New Orleans area audience," the company said.

 

"I believe moving to a stronger digital focus positions the new company to continue to serve the needs of our various communities," said the publisher of The Times-Picayune, Ashton Phelps.

 

The changes will begin later this year.

 

"We will continue our 175-year commitment to covering the communities we serve," editor Jim Amoss said.

 

"We will deliver our journalism in print, through NOLA.com and on our mobile platforms 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we invite our readers to become a part of the conversation."

 

US newspapers have been grappling with a steep drop in print advertising revenue, steadily declining circulation and the migration of readers to free news online. But more newspapers are developing models for paid online subscriptions or apps for tablets or phones.

 

A recent survey showed nearly one of seven newspapers read in the United States is now a digital one.

 

Copyright 2012 AFP Global Edition