Tampa Bay Times to print only twice a week, announces furloughs

One of Florida’s largest newspapers announced Monday that it would temporarily change it’s print frequency to two days a week.

The Tampa Bay Times, which is based in St. Petersburg, said it will deliver newspapers to homes on Wednesdays and Sundays, the paper’s largest circulation days. Times chairman and chief executive Paul Tase said the change is in response to the coronavirus crisis. He said businesses are cancelling retail and event-related advertising, and the paper earns the majority of its revenue through print ads.

The paper will continue to post stories on its website and through it’s digital replica of the print paper.

A news release said the Times will also enact eight-week furloughs for some staffers.

“These extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures,” said Tash. “All at the Times look forward to the day when our nation and community have weathered this storm.”