Read all about it: North Baton Rouge has a new community newspaper. Publisher Woody Jenkins has launched the Istrouma Journal, which covers the area north of Choctaw and inside Airline Highway. The paper will focus on the coverage of north Baton Rouge and will have a special commitment to coverage of Istrouma High School, which reopens next month. Jenkins, a former Republican state legislator, also publishes the Capital City News, which covers south Baton Rouge, and Central City News, which covers the City of Central. Jenkins says the three publications have a combined circulation of 18,000 copies this week and total readership of print copies is estimated to be more than 45,000.
Good growth?: Netflix added 5.2 million subscribers in the period covering April to June, the largest quarterly increase ever for the online service which now has 104 million subscribers. But The Associated Press reports Netflix is facing a long-term problem: Its programming lineup is costing far more money than what subscribers pay for it. That hasn’t been a big issue so far, thanks to investors’ willingness to accept scant profits in exchange for robust subscriber growth. Many of the new subscribers are outside the United States. But the new milestone could further complicate Netflix’s cost issues, since the company will need to keep creating more shows that appeal to the unique interests of viewers. Read more.
A new sales pitch: Sears Holdings has struck a deal to sell its Kenmore brand on Amazon.com in a classic if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em deal that gives hope to the ailing chain’s investors. USA Today reports the move marks the first time Sears has ever sold products directly through the site. Previously, some Sears products were available through third-party sellers on Amazon, the arch-nemesis of the brick-and-mortar retail industry. The agreement includes sales of Kenmore home appliances paired with Sears’ home services offering, giving the retailer a fresh opportunity to extend its reach into the homes of millions of Americans who spurn physical stores. Read more.
