Will Electronic Reader Technology Affect the Postal Service?

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picture of Kindle and paper copies of New York Times

It wasn’t too long ago that digital audio players such as iPods and MP3s revolutionized the music industry. Now, almost a decade later, the same sort of revolution is occurring in the publishing industry with the introduction of electronic reading devices such as the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader. Electronic reading devices allow users to download digital versions of books, newspapers, and magazines. The devices are mobile, and some offer wireless capabilities. Now, newspaper and magazine publishers have another option besides the Postal Service to reach customers.

Will electronic reader technology become a more effective method to deliver newspapers and magazines? Will this technology be the answer for the survival of newspaper and magazine publishers or the demise of the mail house and printing industry? A recent study stated the number of business to business publications offering digital editions and total subscriptions have increased over 300 percent from 2006 to 2007. In addition, consumer publications offering digital editions and total subscriptions have increased over 200 percent from 2005 to 2007. However, Periodicals mail volume has steadily declined since 2000, and for the past few years, the Postal Service’s Periodicals class revenue has failed to cover its costs.

Do you own an electronic reader?

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Would you purchase an electronic reader?

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The electronic reader option offers newspaper and magazine publishers a less expensive way to reach readers. In addition to the thousands of digital books available for download, today electronic reader users can buy monthly subscriptions to The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and other major newspapers all for around $10 a month. These publications can be downloaded automatically to the electronic reader overnight, so at breakfast, it’s available to read.

Some electronic readers require synching and downloading using a personal computer, while others offer wireless downloads. Electronic reader technology also provides the ability to cut, paste, and email articles, and to clarify words through built-in dictionaries, which makes the electronic reader more compelling as a news delivery mechanism. The technology is still being developed but in the future could possibly include color and touch screen interaction. The technology also saves paper, although it consumes electricity. Right now, the only drawback is the price; electronic readers sell for about $299 to $500.

So what do you think?

  1. Do you think the Postal Service’s Periodicals mail volume will be further reduced by electronic reader technology? What about other types of publications such as catalogs?
  2. At the current prices, would you purchase one of the electronic readers?
  3. If you own an electronic reader, do you subscribe to a newspaper or magazine?
  4. Would you subscribe to a newspaper or magazine if you owned an electronic reader?
  5. Is there a way the Postal Service can use electronic reader devices to its benefit to increase revenue?

This topic is hosted by the OIG’s Risk Analysis Research Center (RARC).

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Permalink | Comments (15) | Aug 3, 2009

 

 

15 Responses to “Will Electronic Reader Technology Affect the Postal Service?”

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  1. 15
    Ninja Media Says:
    July 6th, 2010 at 4:41 am

    Yes of course electronic reader will have big impact on postal service

  2. 14
    Magazine Subscriptions Says:
    May 10th, 2010 at 3:32 am

    I can categorically state that magazine subscriptions, for one, are actually on the up so this technology is not having an impact as yet and personally I can’t see it happening for a long time.

  3. 13
    jrkakapastateradio Says:
    September 4th, 2009 at 10:28 am

    Chris,

    Actually, in answer to your question;
    Post from Brainstorming Ideas Pt 2.
    July…….

    OK Here goes. Don’t get offended by the accusation
    of you’re ignorance of government process. It’s complicated, and, I hope you all follow through.

    And, I already know my sick pay balance identified below, is AS SAFE THE SUN COMING UP Tomorrow.
    But, the USPS continued existence is definately
    on the ropes.

    Now, I’m a techy currently working in transportation, so to set the tone, my answers to poll questions are
    reflected as such.

    Question 1. Introduce Non-traditional Postal Services, i.e. web based, IP, wireless lan/wan etc., intelligent transportation net, similar to other noted comments provided in Brainstorming 1.

    Question 2. Develop Web Based digital mail (Charge new fees for new technology services.

    However,

    I’ll bet my sick pay balance, only 1% or less know answers to the following questions. And, to assure accuracy, and prove you’re not peeking,

    1. Who is the Chair of the committee?
    2. Who are the ranking members?

    Be honest with yourself.

    1. First ask yourself to name the Congressional committee members that represent the USPS’s future, and the districts they are from and which one presides in you’re district.

    2. Ask 50 USPS people you work with simply to name
    the Congressional Committee these members belong to.

    The Congressional Committee members who decide the USPS’s fate!!

  4. 12
    Christopher Says:
    August 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am

    So…. how much longer will it be before the Postal service undergoes a partial colapse due to lack of funds to pay bills?

    Has anyone in congress taken a serious look at the numbers?

    I worry that health care reform is detering law makers from more vital things like a dependable postal service into the future.

  5. 11
    William Tyndale Says:
    August 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    Perfectly on point.
    Many of the ideas offered simply don’t fit into our regulatory context. At some point the survival of the organization lays solidly in the hands of our regulators and Congress. Given the parameters of PAEA most of what the organization can do on its own simply glosses around the edges.

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