rfmcdonald | [LINK] Two links on the evolution of La Presse, and journalism generally (Reply)

I found out earlier this week, ultimately from the CBC, that Montréal French-language daily was ceasing daily publication to focus on its tablet app and it Saturday issue.

Montreal's La Presse, one of the country's oldest and largest newspapers, has announced the end of its weekday print edition.

Starting in January, the print edition of the 130-year-old French-language publication will only be available on Saturdays, president and publisher Guy Crevier announced Wednesday.

The newspaper launched its free tablet edition La Presse+ in 2013 at a cost $40 million.

Crevier said the tablet edition has more than double to number of readers of its print edition and ad revenue from the tablet edition accounts for 70 per cent of the company's total revenue.

"Thirty months after its launch, La Presse+ is now more successful than the print version of La Presse after 131 years of existence," Crevier said in a statement.

I also found out that La Presse has announced massive layoffs.

Montreal news institution La Presse announced on Thursday 158 people would be leaving the newspaper, including 43 positions within its editorial department.

Of the 158, 102 of the positions are permanent, full-time jobs.
The newspaper said in a news release that the jobs include unionized, non-unionized and contract staff.

There will be 633 staff members left at La Presse after the laid-off staff leave.