Washington Post Sold to Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the sale of The Washington Post to Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, for $250 million. Participants explore potential implications of this acquisition, including the future of the newspaper industry and Bezos's intentions regarding the publication.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express surprise at the sale and reflect on the emotional impact on the Graham family, who have owned the newspaper since 1933.
  • Others speculate on Bezos's plans for the newspaper, noting that he intends to keep it separate from Amazon.
  • Concerns are raised about the viability of newspapers as a business, with some arguing that the industry is in decline and questioning how Bezos will manage profitability.
  • A participant humorously suggests that Bezos might not understand the traditional role of newspapers, proposing extreme options like ending the print version or failing to profit from it.
  • One participant expresses a sense of nostalgia and resignation about the rapid changes in the media landscape, indicating a personal perspective on the evolution of the industry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the future of The Washington Post under Bezos's ownership, with multiple competing views on the potential outcomes and implications of the sale.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty regarding the profitability of newspapers and the effectiveness of Bezos's management strategies, highlighting a lack of clarity on the future direction of the publication.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in media industry dynamics, the impact of tech entrepreneurs on traditional businesses, and the future of journalism may find this discussion relevant.

Astronuc
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Anyone want to buy a newspaper?

In a stunning move, Washington Post Co. Chairman Donald Graham announced on Monday that his family has agreed to sell its storied newspaper to Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos. The price tag: $250 million.

“Every member of my family started out with the same emotion — shock — in even thinking about [selling]," Graham said. “But when the idea of a transaction with Jeff Bezos came up, it altered my feelings.”

The Graham family bought The Washington Post in 1933.

. . . .
http://news.yahoo.com/washington-po...er-jeff-bezos-for--250-million-205835682.html

It will be interesting to see how the newspaper develops.


Oh, the things one can do when one has money.
 
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I do wonder what he plans to do with it, he is planning to keep it separate from amazon apparently.
 
Online retail? Huge market, lots of potential growth. But Bezos hasn't quite figured out how to make a good profit from Amazon yet.

Newspapers? Ageing market, negative growth. The family is selling because it can't figure out how to make profit from newspapers anymore.

Hmm.
 
Stop the presses! Internet billionaire buying a newspaper? Is he going to roll it up and swat flies with it? Does he even know what else people used to do with them?

I can't imagine him keeping the print version, one way or another:
-Option 1: End the print version.
-Option 2: Try to make a profit with the print version. Fail. Goto 1.
 

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