Lone Star Launch p.9

By: Dorothy Giobbe A MARKET SKIRMISH between two Texas titans, the Dallas Morning News and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, is brewing on a neutral site about halfway between their respective strongholds.
The Dallas Morning News is attempting to increase its market stake in Arlington, Texas, with the launch of a new daily newspaper, the Arlington Morning News.
That's enough to stir the competitive juices at Arlington's main daily newspaper, the local edition of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
"We consider Arlington to be Star-Telegram territory," said Mac Tully, publisher of the Arlington edition of the Star-Telegram. "Our newspaper has been the people's choice, so far."
Executives from both newspapers play down an escalating rivalry, but it's clear that both intend to compete vigorously for the market.
"This is not our taking a shot at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram," said Jeremy Halbreich, president and general manager of the Dallas Morning News. "We have a great deal of respect for the Star-Telegram. We think they do a great job in Fort Worth and an OK job in Arlington."
Halbreich is quick to add, however, "But from what we have heard in our studies, there is a crying need in Arlington to have its own daily newspaper."Halbreich wouldn't discuss how much the company is investing in the Arlington launch, but said there is an "aggressive plan in place."
The Arlington Morning News will debut on April 3 and pubish Wednesday through Sunday. Initial circulation is scheduled to be 20,000 weekday and 25,000 on Sunday.
According to circulation officials at the Capital Cities/ABC-owned Star-Telegram, the paper's Arlington edition has a circulation of 42,458 Monday through Thursday, 52,355 on Friday, 50,160 on Saturday, and 68,465 on Sunday.
The Arlington Morning News will replace the now-defunct Arlington News, a twice-weekly that was published by A.H. Belo Corp.-subsidiary DFW Surburban Newspapers. A.H. Belo also is the parent company of the Dallas Morning News.
Veteran staffers from the Dallas Morning News will head key departments at the new Arlington paper, including top positions in editorial and advertising.
The Arlington Morning News trumpets the hiring of Gary Hardee, most recently a deputy executive editor for the Star-Telegram.
Gary Jacobson, publisher and editor of the Arlington Morning News, worked for the Dallas Morning News for a total of seven years. Jacobson said that while the sister newspapers may share some resources, the Arlington newspaper will forge its own identity.
"Belo has been thinking about Arlington for years," Jacobson added. "You can't deny the relationship with the Dallas Morning News, but the Arlington Morning News has to make it on its own. It has its own [profit and loss statement] and we are pushing this as an independent paper. We think we've got a great idea, and we know it's going to be competitive going in.
"This isn't about Fort Worth or Dallas," Jacobson added. "This is about Arlington."
? The Fort Worth Star-Telegram publishes an Arlington edition that includes an Arlington metro news section. "We consider Alrington to be Star-Telegram territory." said Mac Tully, publisher of the Arlington Star-Telegram. "Our Newspaper has been the people's choice, so far.") [Photo & Caption]
?( The Dallas Morning News Will be taking on its nearby arch rival beinning next month when it launches the Arlington Morning News. "This is not our taking a shot at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram," said Jeremy Halbreich, president and general manager of the Dallas Morning News. "But from what we have heard in our studies, there is a crying need in Arlington to have its own daily newspaper.") [Caption & Photo]

DATE: Sat 06-Apr-1996
PUBLICATION: Editor & Publisher
CATEGORY: Correction
SUBJECT: Correction
AUTHOR: Editorial Staff
LOCATION: Page 7

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correction lone star launch gary hardee fort worth star telegram

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Correction p. 7

A RECENT ARTICLE, "Lone Star Launch" (E&P, March 23, p. 9), incorrectly stated that Gary Hardee of the Fort Worth (Texas) Star-Telegram, is joining the staff of the Arlington Morning News. Hardee remains with the Star-Telegram, as Arlington editor.