The Omaha World Herald

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 11:44 am

If this goes through the OWH is over. Like for real over. Probably inevitable anyway, though.

https://omaha.com/business/local/hedge- ... 2AYaEOjL7M

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/ar ... rs/620171/

Hey, at least there'll be a few more blocks with demolished buioldings downtown that can be empty lots for decades.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:41 pm

Regarding the quote in the second to last paragraph of the story, then one that begins "We believe", my first reaction was "Oh, that buzzing I hear is my BS detector". What the story is saying is that the underlying assets, the only ones with any value, are the real estate holdings and they will be sold immediately. As an investment it could make sense. And as Big E said it was inevitable.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:45 pm

Bob from Omaha wrote: Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:41 pm Regarding the quote in the second to last paragraph of the story, then one that begins "We believe", my first reaction was "Oh, that buzzing I hear is my BS detector". What the story is saying is that the underlying assets, the only ones with any value, are the real estate holdings and they will be sold immediately. As an investment it could make sense. And as Big E said it was inevitable.

Emblematic is the fact that a story ostensibly about the OWH, on OWH's site--is behind a paywall.

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:56 pm

Now, getting to the Atlantic article: "Why did you wreck the OWH?" "Because it's wreckable!" Everything Alden is doing, Buffett/Lee did before them. Pardon me while I play the World's Smallest Violin.

Similarly, the OWH wouldn't be on death's door if they put out a product that was marketable.

About 3/4ths of the way through, I reminded myself of a man named Sardar Biglari, who took Steak 'n Shake's cashflow and proceeded to buy insurance companies and Maxim magazine. SNS is now a shell of its former self.

I can detect the entitled tone in the article--the mention that the only people who showed up to a 'save the paper' rally were...other journalists. The chicken/egg snark that mentioned that Trump won more areas where there were only minimal media outlets. Out comes my violin again.

S.O.Boy · Post by **S.O.Boy** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 7:35 am

The articles say "jack up subscription prices, and wring out as much cash as possible.", I thought that happened already.

Post by **nebugeater** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:16 am

This impacts the Lincoln Journal Star too, correct?

damonhynes · Post by **damonhynes** » Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:59 am

nebugeater wrote: Tue Nov 23, 2021 8:16 am This impacts the Lincoln Journal Star too, correct?

All of Lee, including the once-vaunted St. Louis Pist-Disgrace:

https://news.stlpublicradio.org/economy ... atch-owner

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:13 am

Lee Enterprises board unanimously rejects bid from hedge fund Alden

Lee Enterprises, the owner of The World-Herald and numerous other Nebraska newspapers, on Thursday announced that its board of directors has unanimously rejected the unsolicited, nonbinding proposal received from Alden Global Capital to buy the company for $24 per share in cash.

The board of Davenport, Iowa-based Lee determined that Alden’s Nov. 22 proposal undervalues Lee and is not in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

“The Alden proposal grossly undervalues Lee and fails to recognize the strength of our business today, as the fastest-growing digital subscription platform in local media, and our compelling future prospects,” said Lee Chairman Mary Junck. “We remain confident in our ability to create significant value as an independent company and are focused on our Three Pillar Digital Growth Strategy, detailed earlier this year. We have demonstrated accelerating momentum across our platforms as we execute our plan.”

The rejection marks another setback for Alden, a New York hedge fund that is looking to make Lee the latest in a series of acquisitions intended to consolidate the newspaper industry.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Sat Dec 11, 2021 2:05 pm

Good!

ricko · Post by **ricko** » Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:10 am

OWH is free this week.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Wed Dec 22, 2021 5:47 pm

ricko wrote: Mon Dec 20, 2021 11:10 am OWH is free this week.

I pay $53 for 26 weeks of access, so I guess this week is still costing me about $2.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:19 pm

A little over 6 months ago I took advantage of a $1 for six months promotion. As it was coming to the 6 month mark I called to cancel. I may have listened to the agent's offers but i was tired from being on hold for over 1/2 hour with no option to "let us call you back when it's your turn". I'm sure that costs money and clearly they don't have it. Anyway, I cancelled. Low and behold I got an email offering me another 6 months for another dollar. Ok, I'll flip you $2 for a year.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:44 pm

Did the World-Herald discontinue their mid week “Savor” food related section? It appears to be the latest casualty in the downsizing of the product produced by the W-H.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 8:25 pm

I just got an email; they're launching a site redesign tomorrow.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Mon Feb 14, 2022 8:51 pm

If you want to see what it'll be like take a look at journalstar.com

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:26 am

It launched, and it looks like hot buttered |expletive|. I've been dreading this ever since I saw LJS with the new design.

Athomsfere · Post by **Athomsfere** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 1:29 pm

I don't, know that I can really tell a difference in any meaningful way.

There is a giant ad at the top that I don't remember being there. Weird that I have a subscription and still get so many ads...

And the navigation is different, but I'm pretty sure that will make mobile browsing better.

More dark colors, which to me is always a win.

nebport5 · Post by **nebport5** » Tue Feb 15, 2022 8:14 pm

almighty_tuna wrote: Tue Feb 15, 2022 11:26 am It launched, and it looks like hot buttered |expletive|. I've been dreading this ever since I saw LJS with the new design.

Yes, this. If they're going to go dark mode go all in, not a half and half mess. It really strains the eyes.

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Wed Feb 16, 2022 4:58 pm

I always liked the layout of Gannett papers. Des Moines Register, USAToday, etc. About as professional as one might expect these days. The OWH & LJS ones strike me as designed by a group of high school students. Not surprising. Lee isn't exactly a powerhouse in the industry.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:47 am

They charged me $240 this year for E-EDITION ONLY! It was $132 last year! Holy cr@p!

windsor · Post by **windsor** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:53 am

jessep28 wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:47 am They charged me $240 this year for E-EDITION ONLY! It was $132 last year! Holy cr@p!

I don't understand why anyone pays them? We have the Nebraska Examiner and Flatwater Free Press, both of whom write better stores. We have 3.5 local TV stations that provide faster breaking news than the OWH. Every sports team has multiple outlets with better information than the OWH. There is no reason to give the OWH a dime.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:59 am

Yeah they are getting out of control. I only have Sunday delivery with e-edition the rest of the week and it was $9/month 14 months ago, they raised it to $13 and now just raised it again in to $17/month.

jessep28 · Post by **jessep28** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:08 pm

windsor wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:53 am
I don't understand why anyone pays them? We have the Nebraska Examiner and Flatwater Free Press, both of whom write better stores. We have 3.5 local TV stations that provide faster breaking news than the OWH. Every sports team has multiple outlets with better information than the OWH. There is no reason to give the OWH a dime.

I'm a native who now lives 80 miles away, so I rely on the paper to keep in touch with my hometown. Good point about the indie news sources though.

bigredmed1 · Post by **bigredmed1** » Mon Feb 21, 2022 12:10 pm

windsor wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:53 am
jessep28 wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:47 am They charged me $240 this year for E-EDITION ONLY! It was $132 last year! Holy cr@p!
I don't understand why anyone pays them? We have the Nebraska Examiner and Flatwater Free Press, both of whom write better stores. We have 3.5 local TV stations that provide faster breaking news than the OWH. Every sports team has multiple outlets with better information than the OWH. There is no reason to give the OWH a dime.

I have felt the same way and haven't had a sub in years. When my wife died, we got an eyeful of what they charge for obituaries. Talk about screwing people over.

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 5:38 am

jessep28 wrote: Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:47 am They charged me $240 this year for E-EDITION ONLY! It was $132 last year! Holy cr@p!

I had access to the articles for through a deal of $1 for 6 months. I let it expire and they invited me back with the same deal.

I know the Tampa Bay Times just jumped up a lot and I won’t be subscribing to the Sunday paper any more.

jag42 · Post by **jag42** » Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:09 am

Well, they do have to keep paying everyone on the Husker beat, so there's that.

Coyote · Post by **Coyote** » Wed Feb 23, 2022 10:54 am

Ernie Chambers at Fabric Lab in North Omaha on Feb. 17, 2022

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Sun Feb 27, 2022 7:03 pm

ita wrote: Thu Dec 09, 2021 9:13 am Lee Enterprises board unanimously rejects bid from hedge fund Alden

Lee Enterprises, the owner of The World-Herald and numerous other Nebraska newspapers, on Thursday announced that its board of directors has unanimously rejected the unsolicited, nonbinding proposal received from Alden Global Capital to buy the company for $24 per share in cash.

The board of Davenport, Iowa-based Lee determined that Alden’s Nov. 22 proposal undervalues Lee and is not in the best interests of the company and its shareholders.

“The Alden proposal grossly undervalues Lee and fails to recognize the strength of our business today, as the fastest-growing digital subscription platform in local media, and our compelling future prospects,” said Lee Chairman Mary Junck. “We remain confident in our ability to create significant value as an independent company and are focused on our Three Pillar Digital Growth Strategy, detailed earlier this year. We have demonstrated accelerating momentum across our platforms as we execute our plan.”

The rejection marks another setback for Alden, a New York hedge fund that is looking to make Lee the latest in a series of acquisitions intended to consolidate the newspaper industry.

There was a story on 60 minutes tonight on the Alden Global Capital and how they have been buying up newspapers and then cutting them up. The rejection of the bid went to court and Alden lost but it sounds like they are still trying to change the makeup of the Lee Board.

https://www.cbs.com/shows/60_minutes/vi ... newsrooms/

ArchStanton · Post by **ArchStanton** » Thu Mar 03, 2022 1:01 pm

To those who have seen rate jumps, my price doubled for my monthly e-subscription so I called and the guy quickly restored the former price. Pretty sure he would have gone lower but I really didn't feel like staying on the phone longer so I rolled with it.

mistergutierrez · Post by **mistergutierrez** » Thu Mar 03, 2022 9:49 pm

Has the Omaha World-Herald became a sports newspaper? I have the feeling that the ratio of sport news vs. general articles has increase dramatically recently. Did anyone else also notice this?

Padre · Post by **Padre** » Thu Mar 03, 2022 10:06 pm

mistergutierrez wrote: Thu Mar 03, 2022 9:49 pm Has the Omaha World-Herald became a sports newspaper? I have the feeling that the ratio of sport news vs. general articles has increase dramatically recently. Did anyone else also notice this?

I’d noticed that too. As well as even less local news stories.

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Mar 04, 2022 5:37 am

Is the ratio change really just because they are reporting less other news. Both local and national.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:06 am

I feel like it’s extremely noticeable since they changed the website format. I don’t remember noticing nearly as many sports stories before.

Looking at it now, 6 of the 7 stories at the top of the page are sports related. Makes me wonder if my digital subscription is even worth it with how they keep losing scopes to the Nebraska Examiner.

Post by **nebugeater** » Fri Mar 04, 2022 1:03 pm

Garrett wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 10:06 am I feel like it’s extremely noticeable since they changed the website format. I don’t remember noticing nearly as many sports stories before.

Looking at it now, 6 of the 7 stories at the top of the page are sports related. Makes me wonder if my digital subscription is even worth it with how they keep losing scopes to the Nebraska Examiner.

Are the top story on the page listed by views or hits? Don't have access to the subscription side so serious question.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:16 pm

nebugeater wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 1:03 pm Are the top story on the page listed by views or hits? Don't have access to the subscription side so serious question.

What's the difference between hits and views?

That said, I was told by a former OWH employee they only care about "clicks", is that a hit?

Post by **nebugeater** » Sun Mar 06, 2022 9:00 am

Brad wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 2:16 pm
nebugeater wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 1:03 pm Are the top story on the page listed by views or hits? Don't have access to the subscription side so serious question.
What's the difference between hits and views?

That said, I was told by a former OWH employee they only care about "clicks", is that a hit?

Nothing I was stating it in a way Not knowing how they quantify it. What My question is is the top stories something they place or is is dynamic and always changing based on views, clicks, hits, or whatever it is called on their site

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Sun Mar 06, 2022 10:27 am

I got an email quiz from the owh. Ok. They asked. I was extremely honest. At the end I was asked foe any other comments. In all caps I said "SHAME ON YOU".

OmahaOmaha · Post by **OmahaOmaha** » Sun Mar 06, 2022 2:58 pm

Their new format S U C K S big time. I get my news from the Nebraska Examiner now. OMH is definitely in a downward death spiral.

Greg S · Post by **Greg S** » Sat May 07, 2022 12:42 pm

OWH wins regional award:

https://omaha.com/news/local/world-hera ... 4439d7a9e0

Bob from Omaha · Post by **Bob from Omaha** » Tue May 10, 2022 11:51 am

I was offered another 6 months for $1. Today I thought "The web site sucks. Maybe the app will be better". Woof. Yeah, it sucks too. I get the idea that maybe a middle schooler did it but then again it was probably someone my age. A cranky 63 year old without experience in app design.