Monday, July 23, 2012

The Guardian and the Times what future

This week end, important news were published on the British press. First it was announced the losses of the Guardian last year. 40 million £ and the necessity to cut the staff by 100 people. Then the stunning results of the Guardian-Observer Web site: 30million UV last May, the number 3 of information sites in the world. A good thing but not enough by far to balance the accounts of the ailing newspaper. Then the Murdoch saga. Rupert is discretely pulling out of his London assets. For the first time in 40 years he is not member of any of his British publications board. This new situation makes it more and more likely that the British press group is on sale. Yes, fine, the bad guy is punished for the hacking and corruption scandal. But who is going to buy. The prestigious Times is losing 60 million £ per year. The Sun is not as popular as it used to be and the News of the World has disappeared. A bit of comfort for the French internaut who watches the decline of the French press.