Earlier this year, Phoenix’s 12 News began broadcasting live from its brand new home in the heart of Downtown. Even cooler, the station now features a ‘state of the art’ street-front studio, so you and your friends can embarrass yourselves appear on live TV, a la the Today Show‘s studio in Times Square. Personally, we can’t wait to watch the 24/7 excitement that is Downtown Phoenix, including the occasional businessperson hustling by, and maybe a lost tourist or a hungover ASU student. We kid, (we hope.)

But real story here is the TV station’s new location, wedged into the 10-story tower originally built as the HQ of the Arizona Republic newspaper. In other words, these former local media titans have shrunk so much that they both fit inside the same building.

But hey, it’s a party right? Click here to get details on today’s all-day street festival, culminating with a fireworks show and concert by the Valley’s-own Gin Blossoms. [Update: A scheduled appearance by the Today Show's Al Roker has been canceled, and the event will now double as a blood-drive/fundraiser in the wake of the terrible tragedy in Tucson.]

Meanwhile, to learn more about this corporate spin job, click read more.

Image via AZ Central

As a failed former print publication, we know everything’s-fine-nothing-to-look-at-spin when we see it. And a recent 1,400 word article press release by Gannett Co., owner of both the AZ Republic and 12 News, explaining the merger still has our heads twirling. Sample quote:

“A journalistic effort that delivers more than the sum of its parts. That’s the goal as Gannett Co., Inc., this week officially launches a resource-sharing effort by its metro Phoenix media operations.”

Which sounds great and all, unless you are one of the laid off spare pare parts.

But most important, says John Zidich, AZ Republic Publisher, the merger will lead to “greater return on their investment” to advertisers. Very subtle. Oh, and 12 News’ old station is for sale, if anyone out there wants an abandoned 50-year-old TV station.

Of course, it’s old news that newspapers are struggling in today’s internet-obsessed age. The latest is that despite an overall bounce-back in advertising nationwide, the newspaper industry just wrapped up it’s fifth straight year of ever-shrinking ad sales. They’re due for a hot streak any day now, right? And unfortunately, the trickle of money coming in from online advertising is a pittance compared to the lost revenues from plummeting subscription rates and print sales. (Thank God for pot smokers!) That said, the real body-blow came when free sites such as Craig’s List killed off the golden goose that was classified ads, as people turned to the internet to look for jobs, sell their used cars and get the word out about their garage sale.

Meanwhile, much less news has been written about the steady eroding of profits at local TV stations. While people are watching more TV than ever, fewer and fewer are watching the real money-maker, local news. Which is why Valley TV stations now share helicopters and pool their video coverage, i.e. send one cameraman out to film news events and then let several stations share the footage. That is, when the reporter isn’t forced to act as their own camera operator by filming themselves on a tripod.

All that said, we sure hope it works. And if you guys ever need someone to come on air or offer up quotes about online publishing or the struggles of traditional media, just give us a ring. We could use the clicks from your still massive audiences.

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