TechCrunch On The New New York Times?

On TechCrunch, Mike Arrington wrote an interesting article where he postulates the possibility of a “New” New York Times. You can read the article here.

In summary he asks what if the top reporters of the New York Times walked out and started their own venture with less overhead. After you read the article and some of the interesting commentary come back here for my response.

I don’t usually agree with Michael Arrington but I think he’s on to something there about the “New” New York Times that might work. Best part, reporters are well paid.

But I think that there doesn’t have to be total Armageddon for this to happen. The real New York Times can do this too, except I think they have a bunch of refinanced mortgages on that beautiful building in midtown. I expect that for the near future there will be some more turbulence but the NYT has been on the right track for a little while in my opinion. It just needs more slicing and dicing.

I like the idea of getting rid of delivery and printing of the weekday editions of the paper as it might help segue in to a more digital hybrid. Besides I only really read the Sunday paper anyway and even that I read maybe a quarter to a third if I even have the time. The Sunday edition is more comfort than substance for me nowadays.

No one I know or ever heard of reads the New York Times for the coverage of school boards and the like. I think it’s the cache of New York and the quality journalism and writing that is the essence of the paper and that can be retained when they give up paper altogether.

And seriously, they can make up a little of the advertising online when the NYT paper edition goes away b/c the options are becoming more limited for advertisers and they have to eventually accept that people are reading online and they’ll have to pay a little more for those eyeballs. More creative technology and advertising will be developed out of necessity; it’s only a matter of time because when papers go away there will be no other options for advertisers.

The rest of the NYT I read exclusively online and usually through two channels: Twitter links and my email notifications of headline and breaking news from the paper.

The New York Times can come to this Arrington-type of conclusion if and only if and when and only when they give up some of the legacy of being the Grey Lady and plunge fully into digital adoption. They can retain the power and fame of the brand AND their best and brightest reporters as well as their up and coming writers.

I see a New York Times enterprise 2.0 endeavor exclusive to reporters, editors, staff and interns that replaces the big buildings, meeting rooms and water coolers. Expenses cut. Staff and reputation saved.