The New York Times has lost almost 20% of its circulation in New York City between 2001 and 2004, its competitor, The New York Post reports. And the Post gleefully notes that its own circulation in NYC has soared 29% in the same period. So comparing the papers' circulation in New York City today, the Post sells 371,341 copies to the Times' 260,526. Forty—two percent greater local circulation for the Post is impressive, to say the least. But the situation is more complex than the numbers alone indicate. The Times has, in essence, decided to become a national publication for the slice of the population who have become known as blue state voters. It raised its cover price (while the Post lowered its own) in New York, and has opened a wave of remote printng facilities in cities across the country. It is targeting national advertisers, and giving an ever—worsening deal to local New York City advertisers. The Post notes that for NYC local advertisers, the Times costs 30%...(Read Full Post)