Lawrence: Convergence Capital USA

NPR's David Folkenflik takes a look at how the World Co., which owns the Lawrence (Kansas) Journal-World newspaper, online and cable news divisions, is a model for how the news media may operate in a more converged future. He says the company accepts single-digit profit margin for the newspaper -- a rarity in the business -- in part because it's privately owned and has several thriving subsidiaries, from Sunflower cable, which serves 80 percent of Lawrence homes, to Sunflower Broadband, with 50 percent of the market. Rob Curley, who heads the convergence efforts, says sometimes the Web sites just break even. "We've never been told you have to make this about of money, we've just been told you can't lose it," Curley says.

The pieces also reveals the company's latest innovation -- it's now sending video sports clips and news clips directly to wireless Sony PSP players. A great idea for reaching younger audiences.

Listen to the two-part series:
Part I: Lawrence, Kansas: Convergence Capital USA
Part II: Watchful Eyes on Kansas Media Innovations

(Disclaimer: I was interviewed for this story)

Apr 14, 2005 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT | PERMALINK | DISCUSS(0)

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