Press & Sun-Bulletin Raises Prices After Slashing Features
Just days after cutting popular local features, the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin is notifying subscribers of another round of rate increases.
The Gannett newspaper this month dropped columns by three long-time contributors without providing an explanation to readers.
Shortly after those features vanished from the print and online editions of the Press & Sun-Bulletin, loyal customers received letters and emails advising them that they'll be paying more starting next month.
One unsigned letter came from the "Customer Service Team" in Augusta, Georgia. The "Dear Neighbor" note expressed gratitude that the newspaper is "your preferred source of local news."
But there was no explanation about the decision to cancel the local columns that had been part of the paper for years. Columns by Rick Marsi, Connie McKinney and Thomas Picciano were dropped in a Gannett cost-cutting move.
The letter stated "credible journalism is more critical than ever" but didn't provide information about the closing of the Press & Sun-Bulletin newsroom. It also did not mention plans to bolster its local reporting staff, despite indications by Gannett earlier this year that the company intended to hire more journalists.
Print and digital subscribers pay various rates depending on promotions and customer retention efforts, so the precise impact of the higher charges is unclear.
The cover price for the Sunday paper now is $4.50. The weekday price is $3.50. It's not known whether those prices are being increased in September.
The local newspaper's circulation numbers have plunged in recent decades. The Press & Sun-Bulletin last October published a notice indicated average daily paid distribution was 6,903 with 1,905 electronic copies.
A similar notice from 1973 reported total paid average daily circulation was 76,496.
Local and corporate Gannett representatives have a policy of not answering questions about their news operations.
Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.
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