It Takes An Expert...

Since he accepted a mid-year buy-out, the best political writer that the Star Tribune had is found here and here: Eric Black Ink and Minnesota Monitor. That was a cost savings measure, we are told, but along with going "hyper-local," the paper is "dumbing down," and focus groups no doubt approve.

Now, for the unexplainable. The weekly TV guide was cut from the Sunday paper. I am not an expert, but I think that Sunday papers are where most of the money is made, since that is where I see the most ads. I am not an expert, but I think that the TV section is the most highly read section of the newspaper.

From Associated Content.com:
"The Star Tribune has announced they will be discontinuing their TV magazine - called TV Week - in their Sunday paper effective November 4, 2007. The Star Tribune states, "In the last few years, there's been a dramatic shift in the way people watch TV and get information about programming. In fact, many of our readers tell us they are no longer using TV Week now that TV listings are widely available on screen..."

From the Star Tribune's web page:
"TV Week - Extremely popular with readers, TV Week features daily network and cable programming show synopses, recommended viewing, program spotlights, and cable movie descriptions. Several advertising wraps are available. Available on Sundays.
For more information about advertising in the Star Tribune newspaper, contact your Star Tribune Representative or call 612-673-7777.To access Star Tribune newspaper advertising rates, click on startribune.com/adrates."

Everyone does stupid things. But, it takes an expert to do something really stupid. It appears that the Star Tribune is run by experts. Will the Minneapolis Star Tribune back down? Or, are the comics and crossword puzzles next?

A possible resolution: 'TV Week' becomes part of the Cub Foods advertising supplement. (You can start your own rumors, too.)

Local Reaction:
Bludog
Post-Bulletin
An Overwhelming Question
Mnspeaks