My wife explained to me that they're cutting back on only the public editions. 12 more issues (6 WT, 6 Awake), each one covering a single-topic. These will be printed over the next two years, 3 of each next year, then 3 of each the year after. After that, they'll reprint these as needed. Lots of other printing cutbacks. The explanation is: too much to read, too many presentations to remember. Cutting back on other printings, too. Eliminating normal publications in favor of "simplified" versions. Most things going digital. Focusing on and expanding video production instead of printing.
Of course the spin is around how beneficial this is instead of the reality that printing is no longer cost-effective these days. I asked: what about third world countries who don't have easy internet access. No answer there.
Also, 2017 is the last year the Yearbook will be published. Plenty of experiences on the broadcasts, so they say. Statistics will be published on the website.
That's pretty much all there is to know.
I can't help but think of what they've said many times:
Quote:
BACK in August, 1879, this magazine said: “‘Zion’s Watch Tower’ has, we believe, JEHOVAH for its backer, and while this is the case it will never beg nor petition men for support. When He who says: ‘All the gold and silver of the mountains are mine,’ fails to provide necessary funds, we will understand it to be time to suspend the publication.” [w59 5/1 p. 589