"Big Losses in BTM Plan Numbers."
Wanner and Rentsch react calmly to possible BZ split in Solothurn
Wanner and Rentsch react calmly to possible BZ split in Solothurn "We are discussing a headline version of the Solothurner Tagblatt and have a detailed concept," Albert Stäheli, Delegate of the Board of Directors of Berner Tagblatt Medien (BTM), told the industry service Persönlich last week. What is new about this statement is above all the name of the possible seventh BZ split. After the Solothurner Zeitung was integrated into the new Mittelland Zeitung, dominated by AZ Medien AG, in March, the Solothurner split was to be expected (WW 12/01). However, the name had already been registered for some time in the masthead of the BTM-owned free newspaper Solothurner Woche, although Stäheli also made it clear to Persönlich that the BTM Board of Directors had not yet decided on the actual launch. In theory, Stäheli's statement could therefore be nothing more than a defiant wave of the fence post in the direction of Solothurn.
This is apparently the assumption of Peter Wanner, delegate of the AZ Medien Group's board of directors. "A BZ split for Solothurn would surprise me, in my eyes it doesn't pay off. It would also be counterproductive from Solothurn's point of view," he said.
However, the Mittelland association will not react to this. "Our concept is to strengthen the editorial teams at cantonal and local level anyway. This is possible because the AZ supplies the cover, freeing up resources in Olten, Zofingen and Solothurn." Rudolf Rentsch, Director of Vogt-Schild, takes a similar view: "The BTM planning figures for an attack on Solothurn show massive losses for the first few years," he says. In addition, the Solothurner Zeitung (SZ) is strong enough to fend off an attack.
The first quarter of 2001 was "excellent" in terms of advertising volume, and the SZ splits Berner Rundschau and Langenthaler Tagblatt each gained two percent more subscriptions last year. Rentsch also refers to the editorial cooperation between the two splits and the Bund.
Nevertheless, the BZ seems to be serious: "What Mr. Stäheli said is not just defiant rebellion," clarifies BZ editor-in-chief Andreas Z'Graggen when asked. And how quickly could the split be launched? "Very quickly," says Z'Graggen. Markus Knöpfli
This is apparently the assumption of Peter Wanner, delegate of the AZ Medien Group's board of directors. "A BZ split for Solothurn would surprise me, in my eyes it doesn't pay off. It would also be counterproductive from Solothurn's point of view," he said.
However, the Mittelland association will not react to this. "Our concept is to strengthen the editorial teams at cantonal and local level anyway. This is possible because the AZ supplies the cover, freeing up resources in Olten, Zofingen and Solothurn." Rudolf Rentsch, Director of Vogt-Schild, takes a similar view: "The BTM planning figures for an attack on Solothurn show massive losses for the first few years," he says. In addition, the Solothurner Zeitung (SZ) is strong enough to fend off an attack.
The first quarter of 2001 was "excellent" in terms of advertising volume, and the SZ splits Berner Rundschau and Langenthaler Tagblatt each gained two percent more subscriptions last year. Rentsch also refers to the editorial cooperation between the two splits and the Bund.
Nevertheless, the BZ seems to be serious: "What Mr. Stäheli said is not just defiant rebellion," clarifies BZ editor-in-chief Andreas Z'Graggen when asked. And how quickly could the split be launched? "Very quickly," says Z'Graggen. Markus Knöpfli
