Times Herald to focus on digital news strategies, will shift print delivery to three days a week
Responding to continued rapid shifts toward digital news consumption, the Port Huron Times Herald is announcing a change in print delivery frequency beginning July 4.
The Times Herald will cease home delivery on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Instead, subscribers can access a full digital replica of the newspaper those days — filled with local news, advertising and features such as comics and puzzles. The new model means subscribers will get newspapers delivered to their home three days a week, with a digital newspaper available every day.
“Our commitment to local news is as strong as ever. But the way in which people consume the news continues to evolve,” Gannett Michigan regional editor Stephanie Angel said. “What was once solely a daily print newspaper has grown to include thetimesherald.com, our mobile apps, social media platforms and more.
“Our print newspapers remain a vital and important part of our business strategy. These changes take into account readership and advertising trends."
The digital replicas, or e-Editions, will have the same look and news content as the printed newspaper. The digital format also has additional features, such as the ability to adjust text size or clip and share articles with friends and family.
In addition, subscribers to the Times Herald now have access to the USA TODAY Network’s full suite of e-Editions across the country, including the Detroit Free Press, Lansing State Journal and other Michigan newspapers. Subscribers also have ad-free access to the USA TODAY Crossword puzzles.
All print subscribers to the Times Herald already have full digital access — meaning they have the ability to read news updates throughout the day, access subscriber-only stories and view video and audio features among other benefits. Subscribers also have 24/7 access to obituaries, legal notices and classifieds at thetimesherald.com.
News and sales staffing at the Times Herald will not change as a result of this initiative. Instead, those staffs will be even better aligned toward digital news delivery. Print subscription rates will be adjusted and communicated to subscribers via our customer service team.
“We have to continue to strategically evolve our business model while making decisions that keep our readers at the forefront,” Angel said. “Our newspapers are a vital part of the fabric of our community. Now, more than ever, it’s critical to support local news with subscriptions and advertising.”
Anyone with questions about the change can access their account at thetimesherald.com/accounts or call customer service at (800) 234-1719.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Times Herald to reduce print delivery to three days a week
