A new chapter in Napa's media landscape
A new chapter in Napa's media landscape
By Tim Carl
Napa's iconic daily newspaper, The Napa Valley Register, serving Napa County since 1863, has announced a significant shift in its publishing schedule, a move reflective of the changing landscape of print media worldwide. Beginning soon, the Register will scale back its production to three issues per week in a sweeping move aimed at cutting costs. Additionally, home delivery of the paper will no longer follow the traditional early morning drop at subscribers' doorsteps. Instead, delivery will occur through the U.S. Postal Service.
The Register has long been a stalwart of local news coverage, serving the region with high-quality journalism and becoming an essential part of the community. However, like many other newspapers, this one has felt the impact of an evolving media reality.
The forthcoming changes in the Register's publishing and distribution model were unveiled in today's paper under the Orwellian headline “Your expanded Napa Valley Register coming soon.” The announcement read:
"… in an effort to preserve the excellent local news coverage you’re used to, starting July 18, the print edition of the Register will move to a different publication schedule, with delivery three days each week: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. In addition, your newspaper will transition from being delivered by a traditional newspaper delivery carrier to mail delivery by the U.S. Postal Service.
“The new three-day print frequency certainly represents a shift in your newspaper experience. But fewer days of print doesn’t mean less of the important, impactful local coverage that you’ve come to expect from us. We’re still your best source for local news content, and we remain deeply committed to covering our community all day, every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.”
Napa Valley Features
Napa Valley Features, while not intending to replace local newspapers, is adapting to the shift in the media ecosystem. Recognizing the crucial role local news plays in the community, the organization is ready to assume a more central role in delivering high-quality, locally relevant content.
For readers who read both Napa Valley Features and the Register, this information is especially pertinent. We want to reassure our readers that Napa Valley Features will continue its commitment to seeking out engaging, informative local stories that connect with our readers.
Moreover, we are actively reaching out to other local news providers — including the Register — in the hope of forging synergistic partnerships. Our aim is to ensure that local content remains vibrant and viable, even in this time of transition.
I worked in the media space since 1985. Several of those years included Gannett @USAT and USAW as well as across the entire org. My other traditional tours included Meredith and Time Inc. Followed by a jump to digital at AOL and several start ups that disrupted the status quo. I remember teaching at Michigan State CASS school in 2008 and telling the journalism class that they need to prepare for the demise of print. The analog world had run its course.
I am sad to see the NVR go this path, but I understand. I am glad to see to the rise of a new digital play that will keep the local vibe alive. It is an imperative. Every community needs to stay the course on civic discourse in this fragmented mediascape.
That is why we subscribe to your efforts.
The Register has been suffering for quite a while. It is certainly a shame as we need local print for our civic and social health. But if people are not subscribing there is nothing that can be done to make them read. We subscribe to both the Reg and your publication plus a number of magazines in print and online. The only newspaper we get in print is the Mountain Messenger from Downieville! It is full of good stuff. Keep on keepin’ on. We need your news.