Gaze is dead
René Worni comments on Ringier Boulevard.
Commentary by René Worni on Ringier-BoulevardWhile Bernhard Weissberg is in the starting blocks to climb into the Blick hot seat after the industry has had to speculate for six months about the successor to his predecessor Werner De Schepper, the group has sent him into exile in French-speaking Switzerland as a journalistic assistant to l'Hébdo and l'Illustré. It seems as if those responsible at Ringier wanted to throw a spanner in the works for interested media outlets with news like this so that they wouldn't have to make a fuss about what was going on at Blick. Weissberg and De Schepper have been involved in the further development of the tabloid. But just like the appointment of the Blick boss, which the industry dismissed as a half-hearted solution, the same applies here: Compromises as far as the eye can see. On the basis of De Schepper's exposé, which calls for the classic, visually image- and title-heavy tabloid and its complete opposite, a domesticated version from the kitchen of Axel Springer man and former Bild editor-in-chief Claus Larass, a kind of magazine is to be created. Only magazines are still resistant to the flood of free titles, said Daniel Pillard, the new interim publishing director of Ringier Switzerland, recently in the SonntagsZeitung, graciously dropping a few hints.
With such a significant realization, the people at Dufourstrasse should finally and honestly admit that the Swiss Ringier Boulevard in the form of its flagship has had its day. The publisher, who is rumored to have little interest in Switzerland, was never really comfortable with it. The East, on the other hand, is much more exciting. That's where the action is. There's no squeamishness and no obstructive consideration for the prerogatives of long-established companies.
In addition, audience needs have changed. Soon every medium from 20 Minuten to Swiss television and the NZZ will be serving more or less boulevardesque needs. Now would be a good time to save the ageing readership in a "gmögiges" Blick magazine. The SoBli would still pass as a Sunday title. For Blick, this would be an end without horror. And the Blick platform (see Cash daily) would provide space for a long-overdue Blick TV format.
René Worni, Editor
With such a significant realization, the people at Dufourstrasse should finally and honestly admit that the Swiss Ringier Boulevard in the form of its flagship has had its day. The publisher, who is rumored to have little interest in Switzerland, was never really comfortable with it. The East, on the other hand, is much more exciting. That's where the action is. There's no squeamishness and no obstructive consideration for the prerogatives of long-established companies.
In addition, audience needs have changed. Soon every medium from 20 Minuten to Swiss television and the NZZ will be serving more or less boulevardesque needs. Now would be a good time to save the ageing readership in a "gmögiges" Blick magazine. The SoBli would still pass as a Sunday title. For Blick, this would be an end without horror. And the Blick platform (see Cash daily) would provide space for a long-overdue Blick TV format.
René Worni, Editor
