The BBC may be a threat, but there are far greater problems facing the local rag.
Online advertising – once the great hope for publishers – has failed to plug the financial hole left by dwindling newspaper circulation and falling print ad sales.
Newspapers now controlled by Montgomery commanded a value of £500m when owned by Johnston Press 13 years ago.
That figure has fallen drastically as millions of pounds in classified advertising income has been ceded to Google, forcing regional media groups to consolidate to survive.
Advertising operations have been condensed, printing presses shared and newspaper offices shut to keep local titles afloat.
National World has revealed the progress it has made in the five months since completing its acquisition of JPI Media, in its first trading update released today (1 June).
The BBC has blundered But its enemies must not be free to define its future | Alan Rusbridger theguardian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theguardian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.