Zurich-Basel-Bern Express
In the reader battle with 20 Minuten, a new Swiss-German commuter newspaper is also an issue for Tamedia
In the reader battle with 20 Minuten, a new Swiss-German commuter newspaper is also an issue for TamediaBy Daniel Schifferle Now that 20 Minuten has signaled that it will not be bought, Tamedia is looking for other ways to create a commuter newspaper after all. The option of a new launch for the whole of German-speaking Switzerland - alone or together with other media companies - is also being examined.
When the new Tamedia CEO Martin Kall presented his offensive acquisition and cooperation policy in July, he said that all options would be kept open with regard to 20 Minuten (WW 27/02). But now that 20 Minuten has clearly stated in recent weeks that it is not for sale (see also page 5), Tamedia itself is going on the offensive. All possibilities for an entry into the commuter newspaper market will be examined. Marius Hagger, who was most recently responsible for the in-house efficiency program "Focus", has been commissioned with the project and the concept development.
The future viability of the industry is at stake
"We cannot accept another major newspaper title spreading into our core business and territory," says Tamedia spokesman Peter Hartmeier in a combative tone. They will now clarify how the business model of ZürichExpress (ZE) can be further developed. This is necessary to secure the future of the newspaper.
But it's not just coverage in the greater Zurich area that is up for debate. "One of the options we are looking at is a commuter newspaper for the whole of German-speaking Switzerland," says Hartmeier. Whether alone or together with other media companies remains to be seen at the moment, and he adds: "The future of the Swiss media landscape depends on whether the entrepreneurs among the publishers succeed in making our industry fit for the future."
It is clear that such a relaunch would also swallow up huge sums of money. The expected costs have not yet been calculated, says Hartmeier. "But in connection with the analysis that is now underway, we will also be talking in concrete terms about the budgets that would be necessary to launch a commuter newspaper for the whole of German-speaking Switzerland."
But wouldn't such an attempt at displacement come far too late - now that 20 Minuten is well established in the reader market and has a loyal readership? Hartmeier is nevertheless confident: "We have the journalistic potential for such a newspaper, and we have the necessary distribution systems throughout Switzerland."
Tamedia spokesman Peter Hartmeier leaves open the other possibility that Tamedia's main aim with the announced market analysis is to put pressure on 20 Minuten to give up its stubbornness regarding cooperation or acquisition after all. "That is a question of interpretation."
NZZ, which is a minority shareholder of ZE with a 40% stake, has not yet commented on Tamedia's advance. No statement was available by the editorial deadline. Hartmeier is reassuring. Of course, all decisions are discussed with NZZ. "But we are the majority shareholders and therefore have to work out the basis for decisions. When these are available, we will discuss them with NZZ." The analysis of the commuter newspaper market should be completed by the end of the year at the latest.
When the new Tamedia CEO Martin Kall presented his offensive acquisition and cooperation policy in July, he said that all options would be kept open with regard to 20 Minuten (WW 27/02). But now that 20 Minuten has clearly stated in recent weeks that it is not for sale (see also page 5), Tamedia itself is going on the offensive. All possibilities for an entry into the commuter newspaper market will be examined. Marius Hagger, who was most recently responsible for the in-house efficiency program "Focus", has been commissioned with the project and the concept development.
The future viability of the industry is at stake
"We cannot accept another major newspaper title spreading into our core business and territory," says Tamedia spokesman Peter Hartmeier in a combative tone. They will now clarify how the business model of ZürichExpress (ZE) can be further developed. This is necessary to secure the future of the newspaper.
But it's not just coverage in the greater Zurich area that is up for debate. "One of the options we are looking at is a commuter newspaper for the whole of German-speaking Switzerland," says Hartmeier. Whether alone or together with other media companies remains to be seen at the moment, and he adds: "The future of the Swiss media landscape depends on whether the entrepreneurs among the publishers succeed in making our industry fit for the future."
It is clear that such a relaunch would also swallow up huge sums of money. The expected costs have not yet been calculated, says Hartmeier. "But in connection with the analysis that is now underway, we will also be talking in concrete terms about the budgets that would be necessary to launch a commuter newspaper for the whole of German-speaking Switzerland."
But wouldn't such an attempt at displacement come far too late - now that 20 Minuten is well established in the reader market and has a loyal readership? Hartmeier is nevertheless confident: "We have the journalistic potential for such a newspaper, and we have the necessary distribution systems throughout Switzerland."
Tamedia spokesman Peter Hartmeier leaves open the other possibility that Tamedia's main aim with the announced market analysis is to put pressure on 20 Minuten to give up its stubbornness regarding cooperation or acquisition after all. "That is a question of interpretation."
NZZ, which is a minority shareholder of ZE with a 40% stake, has not yet commented on Tamedia's advance. No statement was available by the editorial deadline. Hartmeier is reassuring. Of course, all decisions are discussed with NZZ. "But we are the majority shareholders and therefore have to work out the basis for decisions. When these are available, we will discuss them with NZZ." The analysis of the commuter newspaper market should be completed by the end of the year at the latest.
