Just playing devil's advocate here: seeing interactive helps newspapers make money (via ads and biz directories). But I see Groupon preferring that newspapers get out of those lines of business altogether so they can direct more consumers and marketing dollars towards their sites.
It's still digital dollars being spent. It's also a great way to get in bed with those guys. My strategies in business is always about "Bread and Circus". Give your customers something they need, even if need be for free, to get the real value you will eventually want. It lets you get in bed much more easily. It's like buying a girl a drink at the bar. She will still need to like you, but it's a lot easier to start talking to her + get her in bed by breaking the ice buying a drink.
