Newspaper delivery cuts disappoint some subscribers | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - If readers still want a paper copy of the newspaper every day, subscribers in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Kalamazoo and Jackson will need to pick it up at a news stand or vending machine.

The Grand Rapids Press, Muskegon Chronicle, Kalamazoo Gazette and Jackson Citizen Patriot are cutting home delivery to just three days per week: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

The publications owned by Booth Newspapers are going to devote more resources to online editions read by customers on computers, phones and pads.

"It's much easier," says online news consumer John Miller. "I check my Facebook when I get home and I look at the news. Everything is online."

The newspapers will still publish a fresh edition every day. And a paper copy will be for sale at news stands and in vending machines.  Content will also be available online.

"I have a computer but I don't use it that much," says Bob Bruner, who has been a Grand Rapids Press subscriber for over 50 years. "I like to read a paper."

"Me too," agrees his wife, Ruth. "I'm not a computer person. I like the paper."

All news organizations are paying more attention to digital delivery of their products.  They are following their customers to the Internet.

"What we are seeing now is one more step in a transition that's been a long time coming," says Danielle Leek, Grand Valley State University Assoc. Professor of Communications. "It is possible this change to the digital platform will rejuvenate interest in news. A lot depends on the type of content and news gathering philosophy that's taken up in this transition to a digital platform."

The changes in home delivery of the papers take effect February 2.

"Probably in a few years they will even phase the paper out," predicts Bob Bruner. "You can get it all on the Internet."