Post-Gazette to drop Friday print edition, expand its Sunday paper | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette will drop its Friday print editions after Feb. 26 in a move the company described as another step toward becoming a more digitally focused news provider.

The newspaper — which previously eliminated some of its print editions in 2018 and 2019 — will continue to publish print editions on Sundays and Thursdays. The company plans to bolster the Sunday editions with more than 10 pages and new content.

The paper will also continue to produce a Saturday print edition sold in retail outlets.

“We’ve seen over the past year increased demand for digital content,” said Kurt Franck, vice president of newspaper operations for Block Communications Inc., the Toledo, Ohio-based owner of the Post-Gazette.

In addition to its website that publishes news seven days a week, the Post-Gazette publishes a daily electronic edition and NewsSlide, a digital news site accessible on tablets and mobile phones.

“All of our digital delivery products will truly allow us to be a 24/7 news operation,” Mr. Franck said. “You’re going to see more papers that will go digital in the next couple [of] years. We think e-delivery is better, and we make no apologies for doing this.”

In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Post-Gazette said it had 101,747 paid Sunday subscribers, including 71,520 print and 30,227 digital.

Paid subscribers for daily editions totaled 74,444, including 44,371 print and 30,073 digital.

Mr. Franck said there is no timetable for the elimination of the Post-Gazette’s Sunday and Thursday print products.

He declined to comment on whether the changes would impact jobs. The Post-Gazette employs 337 people, including its newsroom staff, drivers, production workers, and advertising and circulation sales representatives.

The nine unions that represent 270 of those employees Wednesday received letters informing them of the decision to drop the Friday print edition. The company wrote it was “prepared to discuss the effects the company’s decision will have on your bargaining unit.”

Source: Post-Gazette to drop Friday print edition, expand its Sunday paper | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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