A few years ago, the closure times of our newspapers was a litmus test for editors, printing and circulation staff.
There was a fatal deadline that, if not met, could reduce the sales of the newspapers on the street or upset the customers because the usual was to read them very early.
An ideal closure deadline would be at 12 at night, but it was hardly achieved, since before the Internet and social networks, newspapers had a monopoly on information, thus were obliged to inform the very latest news.
That’s why now even with all the digital media broadcasting news at all hours, the front pages of the paper are the ones shown and serve as a reference for analysis and commentary on the morning television programs.
Such old habits have left traces.
On this modern era, thanks to technology, printed media can displace their closing hours without stress. For example, at 8 at night, or at 9 at night as tops, because they’ve gradually stopped sharing breaking news and don’t need to wait for the end of the day to display the most updated contents.
That role is played by digital media, as the modern model that smoothly complements news coverage and dissemination, which in fact brings many favorable advantages to the printed newspapers.
Newspapers already understand that they must focus on content that’s appropriate and desired by readers, and this content can be planned and edited very early, without the need to mount a news surveillance all night.
Because newspapers survive on their subscriber base, advertisers, and other marketing modalities, they don’t have to worry much about extending their printing hours into the dawning.
With the new schedules, the printed releases now reach subscribers earlier. And we, the publishers, now offload a high-pressure burden that’s only familiar to those who have dealt with these logistics all of their lives.
- Translated from Spanish by Randy Rodriguez.
Director's Thoughts 