Freesheet "Israel Today" is liable to lose its distribution rights at Israel Railways as early as Sunday. Sources inform ''Globes'' that serious disputes have emerged between the freesheet, owned by Sheldon Adelson, and Hedria Train Media Ltd., which owns the advertising franchise at Israel Railways.
As a consequence, distribution of "Israel Today" at railway stations could end at the end of the month, for the first time since the freesheet began publishing.
Sources at Israel Railroads said that "Israel Today" could be replaced by a paper published by Hebrew daily "Yediot Ahronot". How the paper would be distributed is not known.
Until two years ago, "Israel Today" was distributed at train stations under a tender distributed by Israel Railways. Distribution of newspaper was later contracted to Hedria. Consequently, the original agreement with "Israel Today" was transferred from Israel Railways to Hedria, together with an option to renew for one year. The agreement was renewed at the same terms. Now, the financial dealing will now be with Hedria.
Sources involved in the deal said that Hedria is willing to maintain price levels, but that "Israel Today" wants to lower the price.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on October 28, 2010
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2010