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Newspapers: Archant
by 55 North
NFRN urges local newspaper publisher not to ditch print
The trade body understands Archant is asking subscribers of its Life magazines if they wouldconsider receiving their May issue via an app.
The NFRN has condemned publisher Archant’s move to persuade its Life magazine subscribers to switch from printed editions to digital. The Fed understands subscribers to the regional publisher’s 20 county Life magazines are being asked if they would consider receiving their May issue magazine content via an app instead of in a print copy.
Archant claims the new “eco subscription” is not compulsory, but told subscribers it would be a chance for them to “save paper”.
The publisher says this is part of a strategy set out in the middle of last year to achieve net zero-emissions at the company.
Narinder Randhawa, NFRN’s National President, said: “This move comes at a time when the owners are looking to sell the company and just goes to show the contempt that they have for retailers who have supported their titles for decades.”
The NFRN’s Head of News and Connect, Brian Murphy, said: “I would remind Archant, and any other publishers who may be thinking of following a similar strategy, that there are very few examples of it being successful.”
Archant, which operates more than 140 local, regional and national brands, recently launched two new apps for readers of The Hunts Post (Huntingdon) and The Comet (Stevenage) as its major investment in app technology gathers pace. The apps provide exclusive content, podcasts and videos, as well as push notifications on local breaking stories.
