Sulzberger Predicts the End of Print Newpapers

Posted on February 7, 2007

Arthur Sulzberger, owner, chairman and publisher of The New York Times shocked just about everyone at the World Economic Summit in Davos, Switzerland when he said that he doesn't know if The Times will even be in print in five years. As media moves to the Internet, he's not sure print will even stick around.

Sulzberger says, "I really don't know whether we'll be printing the Times in five years, and you know what? I don't care either. The Internet is a wonderful place to be, and we're leading there."

Sulzberger says the New York Times is s national brand and not a local newspaper. It has more readers outside the city tahn inside it.

Sulzberger was also asks about the costs involved with digital publishing. He says, "These costs aren't anywhere near what print costs. The last time we made a major investment in print, it cost no less than $1 billion. Site development costs don't grow to that magnitude."

That's a pretty shocking statement coming from someone like Sulzberger. But it's in line with what other industry insiders are saying. Print newspapers will no longer exist one day -- which will save a lot of trees. Although it depresses people who love to read a morning paper with a cup of coffee.