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Changes coming to the Courier
Patty Leon new

To all our loyal 

subscribers and readers,


Effective April 3, we will be changing our publication dates from twice a week to once a week, publishing every Wednesday. 

The Courier will continue to be your community watchdog covering local government, education, community events and affairs, crime and sports. We will continue to provide our readers a substantial print edition informing you of the important events that have transpired and what you can anticipate in the days ahead. 

The reduction of publications dates in the print media market is a growing trend across the nation. One main reason being that the cost of newsprint has sky-rocketed. In the past year, ending November, 2018, newsprint costs have increased by almost 20 percent due to the tariffs our federal government imposed on Canadian newsprint.

The Courier is a small local business. We struggle to make ends meet. Especially now. We must find ways to cut costs so we can better invest in what will improve our product.

A reduction of our publication doesn’t mean your local news source is disappearing. On the contrary, the Courier has been at the forefront of digital technology that allows us to provide you with up to the minute news in a more efficient manner.

A year ago this month, the Courier updated its website to accommodate the growing number of viewers and readers that follow us on their mobile devices, tablets and computers. The trend, so far, has shown us we are on the right path.

Our data shows that 83 percent of our online readership is through mobile devices, 13 percent of people access us via their computers and the remainder through a tablet device.

We averaged 190,743 page views in the last seven months and our Facebook Page has more than 12,000 likes.

No other print media company in Liberty or Long County has that type of 24/7/365 online and social media presence. The Courier is and will continue to be Liberty and Long Counties’ only hyper-local multimedia information source.

We are your true community media partners, in print and online, and we’ve been by your side through the worst of times and best of times. On that end we will continue to strive to be our best and maintain our commitment as the newspaper of record for our area.

As a result of this reduction, we will be reducing our subscription rates. Our current subscribers will have their current expiration date extended to cover fees already paid. As a reminder current print media subscribers have access to all the online components already included in their subscription fee.

Based on your preference subscribers have the option of getting both print and online subscriptions, just print or just a digital subscription. Going forward our new yearly rate (52 weeks) will be $48 to include print and online. A six month subscription (26 weeks) will be $26 for print and online. 

As a special offer during this transition period, new subscribers will receive an additional $5 off the yearly subscription rate. This offer expires April 30. 

Digital only subscriptions are 99 cents for the first month, then $4.29 debited monthly.

In addition, the Courier has plans to increase its circulation through a sampling program in order to reach out to potential newcomers to our area or rekindle a relationship with previous subscribers.

Also moving forward all editions of the Courier will be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service. Last August the Courier began using the U.S. Postal Service to deliver the newspaper to our rural customers in the outlying communities within our coverage area. We’ve found it to be a much more reliable method of delivery, ensuring your paper will delivered the same day as you expect it.

Making this decision took a lot of thought and research. In the end we feel we are making the best choice for our readership and also the best choice for our company and its future in the industry.

The staff at the Coastal Courier is privileged to have you all join us through this transition which will allow us to better serve you.


Sincerely,



Patty Leon

General Manager 

Coastal Courier and 

Bryan County News


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