Substantial realized pricing increases on production materials, postage and other expenses has caused the Journal-Advocate to lift subscription pricing for the first time in many years.
"In just 2022, newsprint costs rose 40%, ink has increased by 50%, and plates, which are used to transfer the ink to newsprint, have increased by 53% — all at historic highs," said Prairie Mountain Media President and CEO Albert Manzi. "As production costs have increased, so has postage to mail the paper — most recently in August, and it will again in February."
The Journal-Advocate is delivered entirely by mail.
"The massive increases in expense to print and deliver the newspaper is not sustainable, not without, unfortunately, increasing subscription rates by 15% to 20%," Journal-Advocate Publisher Brian Porter said.
Every possible solution was considered before settling upon the decision to lift subscription rates to partially counter rising printing expenses, Porter added.
"Through years of consistently increasing newsprint costs, The Times has held subscription rates down," Porter said. "That is no longer possible."
Porter noted his appreciation for subscribers, some of whom have been customers of the newspaper for more than 50 years, and others for several generations since the newspaper was founded in 1885.
"Everything from milk, to eggs, to bacon has increased in price, and the newspaper business is no different," Porter said. "Our suppliers have all raised pricing. Our pledge to readers is to most efficiently deliver our news product and ensure the financial health of the Journal-Advocate, so it may last into the next century in our community. With that goal, this increase was necessary."
Subscribers may call 970-522-1990 to receive pricing information for the Journal-Advocate, or email shunter@prairiemountainmedia.com. If you do not receive an answer, please leave a message and your call will be returned. Various payment options are available.
"We want subscribers to understand their importance to the Journal-Advocate, and ask you to continue supporting the newspaper during this period of unprecedented inflation," Porter said.
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