Free newspapers are a substantial segment of the newspaper industry, as well as an under-studied topic within media research. This dissertation considers the economic health of free newspapers and whether they face a dire future given their heavy reliance on advertising, a source of revenue that has been in decline for newspapers. Some industry observers suggest it is supreme folly for newspapers to give away their content for free, and that advertising is no longer a reliable revenue source for print media in the Internet era. One question guiding this research is whether free newspapers face two options: continue producing free content by relying on advertising (in addition to other revenue sources), or abandon the advertising-based business model. Seven research questions address a number of issues, such as whether free newspapers are profitable, if decision-makers are considering changing their business model, whether they are seeking alternative sources of revenue, whether reader engagement is connected to the price, or a lack of one, of a newspaper, and whether decision-makers are optimistic or pessimistic about the future of their industry. A Web-based survey asked decision-makers at free newspapers in the United States to respond to questions related to the health and future of their newspaper or newspapers. Four in-depth interviews with publishers of four different types of free newspapers in Texas were also conducted to complement results generated by the Web-based survey. Results show decision-makers at free newspapers are confident about the future of their particular kind of media. The dissertation concludes by suggesting free newspapers are not only viable but in many markets they are thriving. Sweeping generalizations (often seen in industry discourse) about the future of print newspapers can be misleading. The key for success is engaging readers with content and that means a focus on local issues and events. This study contributes a reality check and calls for further research on the economics of print media in the digital era. / text

Los periódicos impresos están pasando una difícil situación que podría amenazar su supervivencia. Este trabajo pretende determinar y cuantificar en qué medida influyen cada una de las causas que afectan en este escenario como son la expansión de la prensa digital; la irrupción de los diarios gratuitos; la mayor o menor apuesta por canales de distribución paralelos, como la suscripción u otros; la incidencia de la evolución de los puntos de venta tradicionales; la determinación del precio del producto; un posible cambio de hábitos sociales; o el inicio de la crisis económica. El estudio se concreta en torno a un caso. La evolución de los seis diarios generalistas más importantes de España en función de su difusión (a saber, El País, El Mundo del Siglo XXI, ABC, La Vanguardia, El Periódico de Catalunya, y La Razón), durante el período 2000-2010, analizando con detalle sus datos de difusión y audiencia. / Printed newspapers are going through a difficult situation that could threaten its survival. This paper aims to identify and quantify the extent to influence each of the causes that affect this scenario such as the expansion of digital media, the advent of free newspapers, the degree of commitment to parallel distribution channels, such as the subscription or other, the impact of the evolution of traditional outlets, the pricing of the product, a possible change in social habits, or the beginning of the economic crisis. The study around a concrete case. The evolution of the six major Spain's newspapers in according to their diffusion (ie, El País, El Mundo del Siglo XXI, ABC, La Vanguardia, El Periódico, and La Razón), during the period 2000-2010 analyzing in detail their distribution and audience data. / Els diaris impresos estan passant una difícil situació que podria amenaçar la seva supervivència. Aquest treball pretén determinar i quantificar en quina mesura influeixen cadascuna de les causes que afecten aquest escenari com són l'expansió de la premsa digital; la irrupció dels diaris gratuïts; la major o menor aposta per canals de distribució paral•lels, com la subscripció o altres; la incidència de l'evolució dels punts de venda tradicionals; la determinació del preu del producte; un possible canvi d’hàbits socials; o el començament de la crisi econòmica. L'estudi es concreta al voltant d'un cas. L'evolució dels sis diaris generalistes més importants d'Espanya en funció de la seva difusió (és a dir, El País, El Mundo del Siglo XXI, ABC, La Vanguardia, El Periódico de Catalunya, i La Razón), durant el període 2000-2010, analitzant amb detall les seves dades de difusió i audiència.