Speculation about the Journal starting up a competitor to Express appears to have finally come to fruition, according to an article in today’s Washington Post:
Journal Newspapers Inc., the Alexandria-based chain of free suburban tabloids, plans to begin distributing a free daily newspaper in the District on Feb. 1, according to one of its major advertisers and a source close to the company.
Journal Newspapers president and publisher James McDonald would not confirm or deny the launch date of a District edition. Managing Editor Nicholas Horrock said Journal Newspapers is close to naming a Washington editor and a few additional reporters “to cover a wider area.”
It looks like they plan to offer slightly shorter stories than Express currently does, along with more local news and features. And, they’ll be branding the effort in a similar vein to Metro’s tabloids, already available in a number of cities.
The District newspaper will be called the Examiner, borrowing brand identity from its better-known corporate cousin — the San Francisco Examiner. Journal Newspapers and the San Francisco Examiner are owned by Clarity Media Group Inc., an investment vehicle for Denver billionaire and Qwest Communications International Inc. founder Philip F. Anschutz.
I’ve never seen it confirmed, but I’m reasonably certain Express and TWP were concerned about Metro making a play for the D.C. market at some point (as an aside, Express’s editor and art director are both former Metro employees, from the Boston edition). I’m guessing they’re less worried about the Journal moving in on their turf, and the Post article seems to confirm this:
Recent editions of the Journal newspapers are fatter on copy, including staff-written local news articles and wire stories, than under previous owners. But some analysts say it will be hard to make a profit.
“Fact is, it’s very difficult to penetrate successfully a market with a dominant newspaper,” said newspaper analyst John Morton.
Never the less, it’s sure to make for some nervousness in the newsroom. However it turns out, I’m pretty confident that no matter who’s doing their tech support, I’m better.
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