The Boston Herald later this month will add to long-time competitor Boston Globe’s bottom line with the latter printing and distributing a good portion of Herald copies in a deal hailed by Globe Publisher Christopher Mayer as an “advantageous business opportunity” for the New York Times Co.-owned broadsheet, notes Grumpy Editor.
The Globe also will start delivering other publications that the Herald currently handles, including Barron's and New England editions of the New York Post and The Wall Street Journal.
In two weeks, the Globe will deliver the Herald's city edition Sundays through Fridays and print the tabloid’s full press run on Saturdays.
Editorial department operations at the Herald and Globe will remain separate.
Some Herald copies will continue to be printed at a Chicopee, Mass. plant and distributed by wholesalers, including some controlled by the Globe.
But the deal means about 50 Herald truck drivers and other workers will be laid off and paid severance.
The agreement came as the Herald prepared to move its offices to Boston’s Seaport District.
The Boston arrangement followed a year-end announcement that The Cincinnati Enquirer, a Gannett Co., Inc. publication, will be closing its printing plant in this year’s fourth quarter with The Columbus Dispatch taking over the printing. About 200 jobs will be affected by that move.
“Media companies are facing numerous challenges, and a streamlined approach to operations will ensure the economic viability of both newspapers and allow each of us to serve our readers and advertisers with a distinct voice,” said Patrick J. Purcell, president and publisher of the Boston Herald.
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