Media titan Rupert Murdoch says he is not sure his newspapers will be in print 20 years from now, as a ‘generational change’ sees younger readers opting for digital editions.
The News Corp co-chairman said in an interview for The Australian’s 50th anniversary that there could come a time when it was no longer economical to keep newspapers in print.
When asked by The Australian’s editor at large Paul Kelly whether the print edition would exist in 20 years Murdoch said “I don’t know, I can’t answer that. There could come a time.”
“Look at the younger generation. They’re happier reading everything on tablets. I think it’s a generational change and there may come a time – I’m not saying there will – where it won’t be economical to print and it will just be a big digital edition, but a big expanded one,” he said.
“The digital one you can expand a lot with video pictures, with everything in them, better than you can in a newspaper.”
[Related: Newspapers in flux]
Murdoch said he still thinks The Australian will last forever, even if it is no longer in print, because it is a powerful brand that can be transmitted across multiple platforms.
“What are really interesting are the new technologies and digital applications,” he said.
“Only a few weeks ago we brought in a new app, with a new version of The Australian. The – average engagement in the last few weeks has gone to 20 minutes but that will go to 40 minutes as the London Times has.”
Murdoch said the youngest of his own children are part of the generation that prefers to consume news in digital form.
Murdoch seems to be taking the digital shift to heart, attempting to fortify his massive media conglomerate with sheer size to combat threats from digital and technology companies, by acquiring fellow media giant Time Warner.
His offer of US$80bn was rejected by the media and entertainment company, but most analysts believe he will stump up enough cash to take it over before long.
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