U.S. newspapers consider CNN Wire

Posted by Leah McBride Mensching on December 8, 2008 at 4:38 AM

U.S. television news network CNN pitched its CNN Wire news service to U.S. newspapers last week at its CNN Newspaper Summit, as newspapers across the country look to cut costs amid a bleak economic time, Agence France Press reported.

CNN Wire would go head-to-head with The Associated Press for clients, and would also compete with Reuters, AFP and Bloomberg.

Knoxville News Sentinel (Tennessee) Editor Jack McElroy was one of 30 to 40 people to attend the summit, and wrote in his blog that "After salaries, 'news services' is the biggest category in my newsroom budget, by far. The bulk of that goes to The Associated Press," AFP reported.

Dropping the newspaper's AP service would mean McElroy's newspaper could afford CNN Wire, a top photo service, several other news services and "at least five more reporters," according to AFP.

Meanwhile, the executive editor of the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine, Rex Rhoades, had similar thoughts.

"I would see (CNN Wire) as an interesting component of a package of services that could replace AP for us," he told Editor & Publisher.

AP Senior Vice President Tom Brettingen said the AP understands newspapers must look at all cost-cutting measures due to their difficult financial situations. "Competition is a healthy thing, and AP welcomes it," he said.

Some who attended the summit said they would be interested in more photo options, as well as more details on international, national and breaking news coverage E&P reported.

CNN did not release any pricing plans, and CNN officials said packages and proposals will not be released until the beginning of next year, according to E&P.