The Banner Graphic to begin digital subscriptions

Monday, January 23, 2012

Recently, hundreds of newspapers -- including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, Boston Globe, Baltimore Sun, Dallas Morning News and dozens upon dozens of smaller newspapers -- have started charging for online access.

On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Banner Graphic will introduce digital subscriptions to those who use our website without a print subscription. This new, paid system is an investment in our community newspaper's future, strengthening our ability to continue our journalistic mission as well as undertaking digital innovations that will provide you with high-quality original reporting on whatever device you choose.

If you are a home delivery subscriber you will continue to have full access to our news, information, opinion pages and other features on your computer, smart phone and tablet as part of your basic subscription.

You only need to register online, connecting your print subscription to digital. Do that beginning Wednesday, Jan. 25 by going to www.bannergraphic.com/access and you won't lose unlimited access when the system is activated.

If you are not a home delivery subscriber, you will have free access to a limited number of articles each month. If you exceed the limit, you will be asked to become a digital or print subscriber.

Here is how it will work:

All Banner Graphic home delivery subscribers will continue to have full access to www.bannergraphic.com now optimized for your smart phone and the mobile web. If you are a home delivery subscriber, go to www.bannergraphic.com/access and register for full digital access.

The Banner Graphic is also offering a Full Digital Access option without home delivery of the traditional print product. For more information or to purchase this plan, go to www.bannergraphic.com/access.

The Banner Graphic is uniquely positioned to keep you informed no matter how you access the news, and the launching of our digital subscription model will help ensure that we can continue to provide you with the high-quality journalism that you have come to expect.

Thank you for reading Banner Graphic, in all its forms. I appreciate your understanding and support of this new initiative.

Sincerely,

Randy E. List

Publisher, Banner Graphic

Comments
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  • Have fun with this! I will just get my news from the HoosierTopics, Facebook, and the rumor mill. When I do see one of your papers I will remember who are advertising with you and go somewhere else to do business.

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Tue, Jan 24, 2012, at 2:46 PM
  • What is your reason for boycotting the businesses that advertise in the Banner?

    -- Posted by macvrod on Tue, Jan 24, 2012, at 3:22 PM
  • I vote with my wallet. When a business does things I don't agree with I don't go there anymore. Local businesses that advertise with the Banner are financially supporting the Banner and its practices that I do not agree with. The ones that are advertising digitally should think about their advertising investment because the Banner just chose to exclude a lot of potential customers. I'm sure not going to go to the Banner's website just to see what ads are and not get to read the stories or only get to see the titles.

    -- Posted by CdaleResident on Tue, Jan 24, 2012, at 4:18 PM
  • You big whiner... the people who work at the banner need to get paid not to mention the rising costs of running a business that creates and distributes a product.

    But perhaps you would be so kind as to list your real name and where you work?

    -- Posted by conffool on Tue, Jan 24, 2012, at 5:17 PM
  • So you are on line now for free but you think this service should always be free and somehow the Banner can survive? Get real! The Banner isn't the best but it is all we got and he small town and county needs to support it.

    -- Posted by NeverChanges on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 6:47 AM
  • For the record, "This is a poor decision made by the Bannergraphic."

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights. on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 7:49 AM
  • So if you subscribe to get a hard copy it cost $8.50, which also allows you digital access. But I you don't live anywhere near the area and only want digital you have to pay $9.50 Makes no sense to me.

    -- Posted by check the facts on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 8:43 AM
  • I think it will be great. Then maybe the three or four dipsticks on here that bash everyone won't be able to scrap up enough loose change from their couch to pay for access and they will melt back into oblivion.

    -- Posted by hardtobelieve on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 9:03 AM
  • This is a very bad idea for the Banner. Hope they realize that they will lose quite a few page hits which will seriously reduce the online advertising revenue they will get. Also, the security for signing up for the online service is a joke. All you need to know is the name / phone / zip code of a print subscriber and you can sign up using your e-mail. As a print subscriber I'm not really happy that someone else could sign up using my account. The Banner should have done a better job of making sure that this process was more secure. I'm seriously considering canceling my subscription just due to the lack of security in this process. Also, who is going to pay $9.50 to access to this content? Last time I checked the Indy Star offers free online content and somehow makes ends meet.

    -- Posted by hometownboy on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 10:25 AM
  • The "Putnam Republican Banner" was started in 1852, now known as the "Banner Graphic". Speaks a lot about the grit of a publication that is has been around since Abraham Lincoln was President. And some here look at the Banner the say way you look at some coupon book mailed to you in a blue envelope. It is not the same.

    Just like print, it can't be fully supported with advertising (you pay to buy the paper even though there are ads in it). Online is the same way. Advertising doesn't fully pay the bills.

    So if what the banner produces isn't worth anything, then why are you still coming here and certainly why are you taking the time to post your displeasure?

    hometownboy... in the next 6 months to 2 years, most newspapers will make you pay for digital content if you aren't a print subscriber. Including the Indy Star.

    Assuming all of you who are opposed to this have jobs and you have some kind of basic understanding of how the company you work for pays its' bills, you know that giving away your core product/service isn't a sustainable business model.

    There are a lot of sites/publishers that if they went away, you wouldn't miss them but if the Banner Graphic closed its' doors, you WOULD miss it.

    -- Posted by conffool on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 11:41 AM
  • If the Bannergraphic went out of business, that would just make room for another paper.

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights. on Wed, Jan 25, 2012, at 10:30 PM
  • here is the problem I have with this article in particular. The comparison of the BannerGraphic to New York Times? The Wall Street Journal? Really? I thought the BannerGraphic was a small town Newspaper, not a Nationally syndicated Newspaper.

    I like reading the BannerGraphic online, as well as going to the local gas station and picking up a print copy every few days. But to comparison to the 'BIG' national newspapers to further drain the local people of money is a far stretch.

    I understand needing to make money, but I do not believe having the Bannergraphic online a paid service is the way to go.

    Just my two cents. :)

    -- Posted by TMJ522 on Thu, Jan 26, 2012, at 6:10 PM
  • Hmmm so if I don't have a paid print or digital subscription, I won't be able to view the website?

    Guess that's one less favorite in my web browser.

    -- Posted by J_Mason on Fri, Jan 27, 2012, at 10:20 AM
  • You'll be able to view the front page as many times as you like, but are limited to "x" number of views (total) when you click on an article or the comments section.

    Once your monthly "allowance" is met, you are asked to PAY for a subscription to view any more. Same with The Brazil Times.

    I totally agree with TMJ522 - comparing ANY small town paper with the NY Times is laughable and pompous, at best.

    Today is my lucky day with the BG, as I haven't met my quota. Not so lucky at The Brazil Times. lol

    I can't wait to "hear" about how this move by both BG and TBT decreases readership. I understand it's a business, but this is the wrong way to go about trying to increase revenue. An extra $0.10/issue or even $0.25 would fair better than charging for internet access - which is essentially what they're doing.

    -- Posted by Emmes on Fri, Jan 27, 2012, at 11:45 AM
  • Bad move Banner. Push the average user away to bigger news sites that still publish things for free. If I do reach my "quota" I'll be loading the website via proxy service.

    -- Posted by Mercidos on Mon, Jan 30, 2012, at 2:57 AM
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