UT San Diego Creates Great Opportunities for Media Entrepreneurs

UT San Diego bought more local newspapers today:

U-T San Diego announced Friday that it is purchasing eight San Diego County community newspapers from Mainstreet Communications.  The deal, which includes the La Jolla Light, the Del Mar Times and the Poway News Chieftain, is expected to close Monday. The sale price was not disclosed. As part of the acquisition, the U-T is creating a new division, called U-T Community Press, to operate the papers. The eight weekly newspapers have a total circulation of 99,431 copies.

A few thoughts:

1- liberals are screaming about the “monopolization” of the news in San Diego.
2- The U-T already tried to go hyper-local and failed (maybe Manchester & Lynch can succeed)
3- this is a great opportunity for alternative media to try to get into the free weekly print business

I can’t think of one media company which has invested more in San Diego news than Manchester and Lynch.  They expanded the staff and the U-T and have integrated the North County Times staff well into the UT brand.  If Manchester and Lynch are “out of touch” with San Diegans, this acquisition creates an extraordinary opportunity for entrepreneurs.  Manchester and Lynch didn’t get any special legislation passed to dissaude competition and they certainly don’t have a monopoly on good ideas.

There’s money to be made complainers!  Compete against them if you don’t like it.  If you’re right about the market, you’ll (rightfully) be rewarded by the readers and advertisers.