Nine newspapers has announced that it will stop printing The Age and The Australian Financial Review in Tasmania by the end of March, attributing the decision to rising production costs and a shift toward digital news consumption. With more than 90% of its subscribers in Tasmania accessing news online, the company found that maintaining physical print editions was no longer financially viable.

The announcement has raised concerns among local businesses, particularly a newsagency owner in Launceston who expressed that the absence of these well-known mastheads would significantly impact their business operations. These print editions have been a staple for news readers in Tasmania, and their removal from the market signals a significant change in the local media landscape.

As the media industry continues to evolve, this shift reflects broader trends where print circulation is declining amid digital transformation. Nine's decision may set a precedent for other publishers facing similar challenges, potentially leading to further reductions in print media offerings across Australia as they adapt to the changing demands of their audience.