The decline in revenue for newspaper publishers continued as evidenced with the release of the latest data. The revenue challenge has more to do with ad revenue than circulation revenue whereas the cost challenge is more to do with distribution than editorial.
Smart publishers will realise that they could make more money setting their content free from mastheads. I am more likely to purchase news stories than I am to subscribe to a branded news outlet. I suspect that I am not alone.
Focussing on making money from your core competency is a better business plan in my view.