The Boston Media Scene

Local news

A whirlwind tour ofBoston’s media scene

Boston Globe

• Founded in 1872, with Taylor family taking control shortly after

Boston Globe

• Founded in 1872, with Taylor family taking control shortly after

• Sold to New York Times Co. in 1993for $1.1 billion

Boston Globe

• Founded in 1872, with Taylor family taking control shortly after

• Sold to New York Times Co. in 1993for $1.1 billion

• Sold to Red Soxowner John Henry in 2013 for $70 million

Boston Herald

• One of just two survivors of Boston’s long daily newspaper wars

Boston Herald

• One of just two survivors of Boston’s long daily newspaper wars

• Rupert Murdoch rescued the Herald when he bought it in 1982

Boston Herald

• One of just two survivors of Boston’s long daily newspaper wars

• Rupert Murdoch rescued the Herald when he bought it in 1982

• Owned by Murdoch lieutenant Pat Purcell since 1994

WBUR Radio

• Along with WBUR.org, may be Boston’s No. 2 source of news

WBUR Radio

• Along with WBUR.org, may be Boston’s No. 2 source of news

• Distribution and business model of public radio still works

WBUR Radio

• Along with WBUR.org, may be Boston’s No. 2 source of news

• Distribution and business model of public radio still works

• Nonprofit eliminates the need for ads and subscription revenue

WGBH-TV and Radio

• Competing with WBUR in the public media space

• Some news with an emphasis on local talk and commentary

• Public broadcasting has thrived in the face of for-profit decline

WGBH-TV and Radio

• Competing with WBUR in the public media space

WGBH-TV and Radio

• Competing with WBUR in the public media space

• Some news with an emphasis on local talk and commentary

New England Cable News• 24-hour regional

television news

New England Cable News• 24-hour regional

television news• In-depth stories have

given way to breaking news and weather

New England Cable News• 24-hour regional

television news• In-depth stories have

given way to breaking news and weather

• Two revenue streams provide NECN with a sturdy financial base

Commercial TV and radio

• WBZ Radio broadcasts news during the day and talk at night

Commercial TV and radio

• WBZ Radio broadcasts news during the day and talk at night

• Four TV stations(plus NECN) compete for breaking news

Commercial TV and radio

• WBZ Radio broadcasts news during the day and talk at night

• Four TV stations(plus NECN) compete for breaking news

• Little in-depth reporting as stations seek to boost ratings

The alternative press

• The Boston Phoenix ceased publicationin March 2013

The alternative press

• The Boston Phoenix ceased publicationin March 2013

• DigBoston, a lower-budget competitor,is ramping up

The alternative press

• The Boston Phoenix ceased publicationin March 2013

• DigBoston, a lower-budget competitor,is ramping up

• BostInno appeals toa new generation of twentysomethings

Boston Magazine

• Suburban-oriented lifestyle monthly

Boston Magazine

• Suburban-oriented lifestyle monthly

• Revolving door inthe editor’s office

Boston Magazine

• Suburban-oriented lifestyle monthly

• Revolving door inthe editor’s office

• Picked up major talent from the Phoenix and is on the upswing

CommonWealth Magazine

• Published by MassINC, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank

CommonWealth Magazine

• Published by MassINC, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank

• Quarterly journal for policy wonks

CommonWealth Magazine

• Published by MassINC, a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank

• Quarterly journal for policy wonks

• Has made a major move into online in the past few years

Other media outlets

• Metro Boston isa free paper for subway riders

Other media outlets

• Metro Boston isa free paper for subway riders

• Weeklies cover a range of interestsand neighborhoods

Other media outlets

• Metro Boston isa free paper for subway riders

• Weeklies cover a range of interestsand neighborhoods

• Online radio may be the next form of media to take off

Christian Science Monitor

• Based in Boston, but not of Boston

Christian Science Monitor

• Based in Boston, but not of Boston

• Successful exampleof a mostly online news organization

Christian Science Monitor

• Based in Boston, but not of Boston

• Successful exampleof a mostly online news organization

• Nonprofit model, church woes create challenges

Talk radio

• Mostly conservative, appeals to a sense of powerlessness

Talk radio

• Mostly conservative, appeals to a sense of powerlessness

• Fierce competition has given way to budget cuts and shrinking ratings

Talk radio

• Mostly conservative, appeals to a sense of powerlessness

• Fierce competition has given way to budget cuts and shrinking ratings

• In Boston, the real actionis competition between two sports stations

Local blogs

• Universal Hub tracks hundreds of local blogs and social feeds

Local blogs

• Universal Hub tracks hundreds of local blogs and social feeds

• Blue Mass Group and Red Mass Group are political group blogs

Local blogs

• Universal Hub tracks hundreds of local blogs and social feeds

• Blue Mass Group and Red Mass Group are political group blogs

• Who will start the next great local blog? Why not you?