Portland’s Oregonian Shifts to a Digital-First Newspaper Model

oregonian-logo2 (1)Advance Newhouse will shift another of its daily newspapers to a new digital-first publishing model starting October 1, 2013.

According to company statements, two new companies will be formed:

The Oregonian Media Group will publish The Oregonian (and its related print products) will operate OregonLive.com.  This new, digitally-focused media company will expand news and information products in Oregon and Southwest Washington using about 90 reporters, the same number as today.

Home delivery will be Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, plus a “bonus” edition will be delivered Saturday with have news and a strong emphasis on sports content, along with classified advertising. [I wonder if this is a total market product with inserts, but the reports were not clear.]  Home delivery subscribers that choose the three-day subscription option will also have access to a digital edition seven days a weekThe Oregonian still will be published and sold daily, and OregonLive.com will be updated throughout the day.

Advance Central Services Oregon will be a shared-services company providing production, circulation, IT, purchasing and human resources to the OMG as well as other companies.

With this new model, The Oregonian will be profitable again this year, the company said.