Media General looks at editorial hub

Word from several sources is that Media General may be the latest looking to create an editing hub for its major papers in Richmond, Tampa and Winston-Salem.

My sources say the MG discussions began several months ago and that execs have been getting ready to visit (or may already have started visiting) others who have done the same things.

Such hubs aren't new. Scripps has done it for some of its Florida papers and Media News has done it - and taken lots of flack - for the consolidation of its editorial operations at its Bay Area papers in California. AP did away with most of its national desk in New York and created editorial hubs across the country.

Gannett has started it, too; for instance, the Louisville Courier-Journal has taken over much of the editing of the papers in Greenville, S.C., and Asheville, N.C.

And as News & Tech recently reported, some publishers take it even further, seeing the day when everything but the creation of new content is outsourced.

The folks I've talked to tell me that Winston-Salem seems to be a favored spot for the Media General operation, but all is in flux, including whether to even do it.

Update:
Another source reminds that MG has already created a hub in Lynchburg for many of its Virginia papers, as well as those in Reidsville, N.C., and Eden, N.C. Word is, the person says, that the hub will eventually handle all Virginia papers except for Richmond and Bristol.

Update 1/6: Media General's plans are confirmed with resignation of Winston-Salem Managing Editor Ken Otterbourg.