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Thursday, January 8, 2009

Media Blethen: "Stunned."

Posted by Eli Sanders on Thu, Jan 8, 2009 at 5:42 PM

Which, if true—and if the KING 5 story is true—suggests that this is not some sort of coordinated effort in which, say, Hearst would put the P-I up for sale on the understanding that Seattle Times publisher Frank Blethen would later sell the Times to Hearst.

So, if true—and again that's still a big if—and if I'm understanding all of this correctly, and if I'm remembering JOA intricacies correctly, then this to me suggests more of a gamble on Hearst's part. Maybe a high-odds-of-winning gamble. But still a gamble.

Comments (23) RSS

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ECB won't have Joel Connelly to kick around anymore.

Posted by Billy Boi on January 8, 2009 at 5:48 PM

Belthen?

Posted by Billy Boi on January 8, 2009 at 5:56 PM

Those fucking Hearst cocksuckers will never bet on something unless they're sure they'll win.

Posted by laterite on January 8, 2009 at 6:13 PM

I wish it had been the Times that lost this battle. The PI has been a better newspaper for some time.

Posted by TVDinner on January 8, 2009 at 6:14 PM

This seems pretty random for Hearst if there is NOT an ulterior motive. Spending all that money to uphold the JOA, and then throwing in the towel now? Such a shame though. Frank Blethen does not deserve to win this one.

Posted by MonA on January 8, 2009 at 6:17 PM

Now Art Thiel can join his compadres Robin and Maynard in obscuria, holding yearly golf charity events and dusting themselves off when friendly street performers are murdered.

Posted by Banna on January 8, 2009 at 7:03 PM

Actually, Blethens haven't won, and Hearst hasn't lost. See Dan below.

Posted by Billy Boi on January 8, 2009 at 7:22 PM

The Stranger needs to swoop in and buy the Times. The Stranger we know now could be a big fatty Sunday paper.

I'd also like the call it "The Stranger/Times. From the Times hire Nancy Leson and start a crossword puzzle that rivals the NYT.

Posted by elswinger on January 8, 2009 at 7:53 PM

A gamble on what, Eli?

If you have no idea what you're talking about, don't say anything.

Posted by kilo on January 8, 2009 at 8:02 PM

Eli is allegedly a "horseman,'" a lover of horses. His nickname in certain circles is allegedly "Enumclaw Eli."

Posted by Lazy Reporter Ranch, Enumclaw, WA on January 8, 2009 at 8:22 PM

All lessons on the Hearsts and their methods can be learned on fucking Deadwood, cocksuckers.

Oh, and I guess Citizen Kane, too, you hoopleheads.

Posted by laterite on January 8, 2009 at 8:51 PM

There aren't a lot of intricacies left since the JOA was revised a couple of years ago. If Hearst can't sell (and it won't be able to), it closes the P-I. The Times becomes the only game in town, and doesn't have to send any money to Hearst.

I'm guessing Hearst, under its new management, decided there were limited opportunities to make money here. Since there are no tangible assets (no real estate, no press or production facilities), it's an easy operation to shut down and cut their losses.

Posted by P-I_insider on January 8, 2009 at 9:44 PM

Interesting scene in the Times newsroom -- everybody gathered around the TVs to watch the KING5 report -- we'd gotten a 10 minute warning but didn't know what it was about. (Have a better idea what's going on now, but not saying here.) Not a single cheer, just a lot of "holy fucking shit" and "oh my god." Plenty of tears too.
We're in competition with those guys, but it could've been us. Still could be us. We're worried about ourselves, worried about our community and our country.
Sending good vibes down to Elliott Ave.

Posted by The Fairview Fanny Pack on January 8, 2009 at 9:54 PM

Dear Mr. Sanders,

Please have Mr. Keck call me at his earliest convenience. I have an urgent business matter to discuss with him.

Posted by W.R. Hearst IV on January 8, 2009 at 9:56 PM

I was misquoted. I'm stunned this didn't happen EARLIER! We all know newspapers are in a bad way. I have a plan, though. My plan is to have the government take money from Google and give it to me.

Posted by Frank Blethen on January 8, 2009 at 10:08 PM

I'm just curious why the the #5 most-read story at the Times website is the July, 2005 beginning of the Enumclaw horse scandal. Seriously, I saw the headline in there, did a double-take, and thought, "Oh, shit, it's happening again."

Posted by bd on January 9, 2009 at 4:27 AM

One source rumor leaked to a TV reporter and rushed live without confirmation.

This absolutely sounds like either rookie reporting or a deliberate move in a bigger game.

Posted by certaindoom on January 9, 2009 at 5:18 AM

Endless Air.

Posted by DOUG. on January 9, 2009 at 5:55 AM

@1, or maybe she will after he submits his resume to be her intern?

Posted by Joel, Stranger Intern? on January 9, 2009 at 7:24 AM

@17 -- More like: "Slog reader has a crackpot idea, rushes to libel journalist."

Linda Byron is probably the finest broadcast reporter in town -- been around a long time, does the big stories, has top-notch sources.

Credibility, certaindoom, it's called credibility. You might want to get some.

Posted by The Fairview Fanny Pack on January 9, 2009 at 8:25 AM

One word: Belo. Figure it out yourself.

Posted by d on January 9, 2009 at 8:33 AM

Eli - Gregoire will get this all sorted out when she's Secretary of Commerce.

Posted by Lionel Hutz on January 9, 2009 at 10:37 AM

Classic maneuver during a recession - break contracts with your opposition and capture their markets.

Hearst is going for Blethen's jugular.

And he knows it.

Buh bye! Don't let the door hit you on the way out!

Posted by Will in Seattle on January 9, 2009 at 11:22 AM