Telegram ending weekday delivery to all homes off the Avalon
CBC News | Posted: February 24, 2016 6:57 PM | Last Updated: February 24, 2016
The St. John's-based Telegram newspaper will cease its weekday distribution beyond the Avalon Peninsula as of March 28, citing high distribution costs as making the service no longer viable.
"Ultimately this is a business decision. We are trying to reduce some costs of trucking papers every day off the Avalon," Steve Bartlett, the paper's managing editor, told CBC Radio's Central Morning Show.
The Saturday edition of the Telegram will continue to be delivered as usual.
Bartlett said there were no changes in the works to paper distribution on the Avalon.
"I know there's an appetite for the physical paper," he said.
Digital shift
"We are giving people the option of following us to the digital world," said Bartlett, adding both the Telegram's website and a digital edition of the paper are available to subscribers.
"I would encourage people to at least try it."
Bartlett said the Telegram's digital presence serves a growing audience.
We just have to redefine some of the things we're doing. - Steve Bartlett
"Sometimes I look at our web numbers, and I'm like, 'Holy smokes, there's that many people reading us?' It's really eye-opening to see."
Bartlett said he hopes readers will see changes for the better in coming days, both in the Telegram and parent company Transcontinental's numerous community papers in the province.
"I think there's a great opportunity and future there. We just have to redefine some of the things we're doing."