Voigt's news platform without Ringier
Ringier is not getting involved in Hansi Voigt's news portal, which is to go online before the end of 2013. According to the Sonntagszeitung, the media company sees no earnings potential.
The former head of 20 Minuten Online Hansi Voigt wants to launch a news portal with the working title "Watson" before the end of 2013 (Werbewoche.ch reported). As the Sonntagszeitung writes, he is currently in talks with investors. Already on board is AZ publisher Peter Wanner, who is contributing to the required start-up financing of 25 million francs.
Voigt will have to do without the support of Ringier. According to "well-informed sources," the people at Dufourstrasse are convinced of the project from a journalistic and technological point of view, but they do not believe in the possibility of earning money with the platform. Voigt takes it calmly - he had not reckoned with Ringier anyway, and after two brief conversations three months ago, he heard nothing more from the publisher. He didn't even know that the management was discussing his project. However, he is "surprised" that the media already know about the negative decision - Voigt suspects tactical reasons.
Voigt's version is contradicted by Ringier spokesman Edi Estermann in the Sonntagszeitung: There have been "corresponding discussions" in recent weeks - but Ringier does not comment on their content. (hae/soz)
Image: Keystone
