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'Rocky Mountain News' Shuts Down
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| Rocky Mountain News employees react as executives announce the closing of the newspaper Thursday in Denver. (Judy Dehaas/Rocky Mountain News/Associated Press) |
By John P. Connolly, The Bulletin
The Rocky Mountain News, the paper that has provided news coverage to Denver for 150 years, will publish its last edition on Friday.
Owner E.W. Scripps Co. announced on the newspaper’s Web site on Thursday that its search for a buyer for the paper was unsuccessful. The Rocky Mountain News was put on sale on Dec. 4, and it only attracted a single prospective buyer in that time. The buyer was turned away because he was “unable to present a viable plan,” according to the company.
“Today the Rocky Mountain News, long the leading voice in Denver, becomes a victim of changing times in our industry and huge economic challenges,” Scripps CEO Rich Boehne said.
Scripps said the paper lost $16 million last year, but said that employees will stay on the company payroll through April 28.
Scripps has owned the News since 1926. The paper will close just two months short of its 150th anniversary. Since 2001, the News has shared business operations with The Denver Post in a joint operating agreement between Scripps and The Post’s owner, MediaNewsGroup Inc. The Post announced that it would hire10 News staffers out of the News’ 230 editorial staff. Subscribers to The News will receive The Post for the length of their remaining subscriptions.
“The Rocky will forever be remembered for its vital role in the city’s history and the city’s success,” said William Dean Singleton, chairman and publisher of The Post and CEO of MediaNews. “Although we competed intensely, the talented staff of the Rocky earned our respect with each morning’s edition.”
Scripps said it will retain ownership, and still offer to sell the Rocky Mountain News name and the newspaper’s archives and Web site.
The print news industry has been crumbling in recent months, with four owners of 33 U.S. papers seeking bankruptcy protection. Several other papers have been put up for sale, with the option of closure should a buyer not be found. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and San Francisco Chronicle, both owned by the Hearst Corporation, fall into the latter category. Gannett Company’s Tucson Citizen has also been put up for sale.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
Owner E.W. Scripps Co. announced on the newspaper’s Web site on Thursday that its search for a buyer for the paper was unsuccessful. The Rocky Mountain News was put on sale on Dec. 4, and it only attracted a single prospective buyer in that time. The buyer was turned away because he was “unable to present a viable plan,” according to the company.
“Today the Rocky Mountain News, long the leading voice in Denver, becomes a victim of changing times in our industry and huge economic challenges,” Scripps CEO Rich Boehne said.
Scripps said the paper lost $16 million last year, but said that employees will stay on the company payroll through April 28.
Scripps has owned the News since 1926. The paper will close just two months short of its 150th anniversary. Since 2001, the News has shared business operations with The Denver Post in a joint operating agreement between Scripps and The Post’s owner, MediaNewsGroup Inc. The Post announced that it would hire10 News staffers out of the News’ 230 editorial staff. Subscribers to The News will receive The Post for the length of their remaining subscriptions.
“The Rocky will forever be remembered for its vital role in the city’s history and the city’s success,” said William Dean Singleton, chairman and publisher of The Post and CEO of MediaNews. “Although we competed intensely, the talented staff of the Rocky earned our respect with each morning’s edition.”
Scripps said it will retain ownership, and still offer to sell the Rocky Mountain News name and the newspaper’s archives and Web site.
The print news industry has been crumbling in recent months, with four owners of 33 U.S. papers seeking bankruptcy protection. Several other papers have been put up for sale, with the option of closure should a buyer not be found. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer and San Francisco Chronicle, both owned by the Hearst Corporation, fall into the latter category. Gannett Company’s Tucson Citizen has also been put up for sale.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
John P. Connolly can be reached at jconnolly@thebulletin.us
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