SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse New Times will soon no longer be available for free pickup just around the corner.
After 50 years, the alternative weekly newspaper has decided to end distribution of free copies (30,000, on average) to 1,100 locations across a six-county Central New York area. The move starts with the April 24 issue, William Brod, publisher and CEO, announced.
Readers will have to buy a paid subscription to receive the Syracuse New Times by mail and get digital access. It will charge $1 per week, or $52 a year, at first. But after three weeks, the price will rise to $1.50 a week, or $78 per year.
In letter to readers, Brod says the Syracuse New Times “can no longer afford to distribute papers for free.”
“During the first 50 years, our entire effort was supported by advertising revenue from local businesses, who rely on the educated, affluent and engaged audience delivered by the New Times to make their cash registers ring,” he wrote. “However, no business is immune from disruption, but few have experienced as much disruption as publishing… As a result of this disruption to our original business model, we now find ourselves in an unusual situation that requires us to adjust our model in order to adapt to changing times.”
Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com