The Seal Beach Sun has announced major changes to its distribution model that add convenience for its readers by offering multiple distribution options.
According to Linda Rosas, senior vice president of Integrity Newspapers, Inc. and publisher of the Seal Beach Sun, the paper’s new distribution methods will enhance how its readers can stay current with their community news.
“We are thrilled to announce the Seal Beach Sun is our first newspaper to offer an eNewspaper format,” said Rosas, noting the Sun is the first publication within the company’s chain of community papers to successfully install the new format.
Due to economic conditions and other factors, we are struggling to continue our long-standing courtesy of free home delivery,” she added. Nevertheless, she said “we listen to the readers and advertisers and understand their concerns,” said Rosas.
Readers can now purchase a digital subscription to the Sun from less than $1 per week that grants access to the entire paper, page-turning and all, she said. Residents can access the eNewspaper format through the company’s website (sunnews.org), the Sun publisher said.
Rosas said the print version of the Sun is still available free for readers at bulk drop box locations (listed on the Sun’s website). In addition, she said readers seeking home delivery can subscribe to have a copy of each edition mailed to them.
“Change is never easy,” she said, “and I’m happy this one has turned out well for our readers and for our advertisers.”
“This has not been an easy year for the newspaper industry and especially The Sun,” said Rosas, “yet we are very excited to announce this eNewspaper format for our family of publications.”
“Overall, our digital footprint has been expanding,” said Rosas, saying online readership has spiked in recent years. “Our impressions have always been strong but of late, they have gone through the roof,” she said.
“Throughout all of this, the quality of our news has not diminished, only improved,” she said. “Our readers have shown us how much access to community content means to them,” said Rosas.
“We’re happy to now offer three options for distribution,” she said.
While the Seal Beach Sun is the first in the company’s chain of community papers to transition, Rosas said other publications, such as The Catalina Islander, the Event News Enterprise and others will soon follow.
In addition to the Seal Beach Sun, Integrity Newspapers publishes 18 community papers across Southern California.
“We understand how much people love their community papers,” said Rosas, and “we have done everything possible to preserve that priceless experience, even now into our digital future.”