Between protest and opportunity
Will more free newspapers be hitting the newsstands soon?
More free newspapers coming to newsstands soon? by Markus KnöpfliThe fact that Kiosk AG now wants to distribute commuter newspapers on a trial basis has infuriated some major publishers. Return coaches are also being considered. At the same time, some publishers also sense opportunities for their free titles.
Daniel Sommer, Publishing Director of Basler Zeitung, describes Kiosk AG's attempt to sell commuter newspapers at its sales outlets from this week onwards as a "shot across the bows". Franziska von Weissenfluh, Managing Director of the Berner Zeitung, finds the approach "not very nice towards a long-standing partner", and Dietrich Berg, Publishing Director of the Tages-Anzeiger, also understands "a partnership relationship to mean something else". "If we thought this was good, it would be masochism, because we are the publisher with the most titles on the newsstand," says Ringier Group spokesperson Fridolin Luchsinger. And Willy Schib, Head of Regional Newspapers at NZZ, agrees: "Although it doesn't affect us too much, we're not very pleased."
The publishers are most annoyed about the late or lack of information from Kiosk AG. However, more fundamental criticism of Kiosk AG can also be heard here and there. If Kiosk AG gives away its products free of charge, it is no longer needed (Luchsinger). Newspapers are apparently of secondary importance to Kiosk AG, in contrast to chewing gum and souvenirs, for example (Schib).
Some publishers are also considering alternatives to Kiosk AG. However, such statements are little more than a wave of the fence post, especially as press sales via post offices proved to be unsuccessful a few years ago. "I'm rather skeptical," says Schib.
Kiosk AG has
Aroused desires
Eva Keller, Deputy Managing Director of the Swiss Press Association (CHP), also made representations to Kiosk AG. The issue will also be discussed by the CHP Executive Committee, Keller announces. "However, we were more surprised by the procedure than by the attempt," she says, recalling the free market economy. She also suspects that other publishers might also be interested in bringing their free titles to newsstands.
And this is exactly what they are doing. "We will be discussing this internally soon, because we want a level playing field for the Zurich Express," says Willy Schib, for example. According to Daniel Sommer, there are similar plans for the Baslerstab. Although this is already available at newsagents, it costs 60 centimes. Now BMG wants to know what the free edition would cost.
The Association of Swiss Free Newspapers (VSGZ) has also been listening closely: President Willy Grüninger, publisher of Schaffhauser Bock and Winterthurer Woche, therefore wants to talk to Kiosk AG. Grüninger knows that other VSGZ members are also interested.
Kiosk AG is "very open" to such collaborations, says its director Josef Jungo. However, he finds the accusations against his company somewhat one-sided. Among other things, Kiosk AG has invested 25 million francs in a system that can primarily be used to determine press sales on a daily basis. "We don't invest as much in any other product group as we do in the press."
In addition, publishers are offering subscriptions to their titles up to 70 percent cheaper than individual sales, "which makes life extremely difficult for us in individual sales". Finally, some publishers have entered into partnerships with commuter newspapers in the print or Internet sector. "Should we really just watch like a rabbit in front of a snake?" asks Jungo.
Daniel Sommer, Publishing Director of Basler Zeitung, describes Kiosk AG's attempt to sell commuter newspapers at its sales outlets from this week onwards as a "shot across the bows". Franziska von Weissenfluh, Managing Director of the Berner Zeitung, finds the approach "not very nice towards a long-standing partner", and Dietrich Berg, Publishing Director of the Tages-Anzeiger, also understands "a partnership relationship to mean something else". "If we thought this was good, it would be masochism, because we are the publisher with the most titles on the newsstand," says Ringier Group spokesperson Fridolin Luchsinger. And Willy Schib, Head of Regional Newspapers at NZZ, agrees: "Although it doesn't affect us too much, we're not very pleased."
The publishers are most annoyed about the late or lack of information from Kiosk AG. However, more fundamental criticism of Kiosk AG can also be heard here and there. If Kiosk AG gives away its products free of charge, it is no longer needed (Luchsinger). Newspapers are apparently of secondary importance to Kiosk AG, in contrast to chewing gum and souvenirs, for example (Schib).
Some publishers are also considering alternatives to Kiosk AG. However, such statements are little more than a wave of the fence post, especially as press sales via post offices proved to be unsuccessful a few years ago. "I'm rather skeptical," says Schib.
Kiosk AG has
Aroused desires
Eva Keller, Deputy Managing Director of the Swiss Press Association (CHP), also made representations to Kiosk AG. The issue will also be discussed by the CHP Executive Committee, Keller announces. "However, we were more surprised by the procedure than by the attempt," she says, recalling the free market economy. She also suspects that other publishers might also be interested in bringing their free titles to newsstands.
And this is exactly what they are doing. "We will be discussing this internally soon, because we want a level playing field for the Zurich Express," says Willy Schib, for example. According to Daniel Sommer, there are similar plans for the Baslerstab. Although this is already available at newsagents, it costs 60 centimes. Now BMG wants to know what the free edition would cost.
The Association of Swiss Free Newspapers (VSGZ) has also been listening closely: President Willy Grüninger, publisher of Schaffhauser Bock and Winterthurer Woche, therefore wants to talk to Kiosk AG. Grüninger knows that other VSGZ members are also interested.
Kiosk AG is "very open" to such collaborations, says its director Josef Jungo. However, he finds the accusations against his company somewhat one-sided. Among other things, Kiosk AG has invested 25 million francs in a system that can primarily be used to determine press sales on a daily basis. "We don't invest as much in any other product group as we do in the press."
In addition, publishers are offering subscriptions to their titles up to 70 percent cheaper than individual sales, "which makes life extremely difficult for us in individual sales". Finally, some publishers have entered into partnerships with commuter newspapers in the print or Internet sector. "Should we really just watch like a rabbit in front of a snake?" asks Jungo.
