GNM launches new subscription service

Guardian News & Media (GNM) is launching a subscription service for its Guardian and Observer readers this weekend, with three varying rates on offer.

Readers will have the opportunity to take out a weekend subscription, which includes the Saturday edition of the Guardian and Sunday’s Observer, giving them a 20% discount on the cover price.

Alternatively, a six-day subscription to the Guardian title will entitle readers to a 25% reduction, while a full seven-day weekly subscription will give them a 33% discount.

Joe Clark, director and general manager for newspapers at GNM, said: “The launch of GNM’s subscription service rewards not only our loyal readers but also retailers and wholesalers by driving volume and frequency of purchase, something that remains a key concern for this industry.”

A number of the Guardian and Observer‘s rivals in the quality newspaper sector already offer subscription services, including the Telegraph and the Times.

According to the latest figures from ABC, the Daily Telegraph has more than 316,000 subscribers and the Sunday Telegraph has more than 300,000, while the Times and the Sunday Times‘ titles have almost 100,000 subscribers each.

GNM’s has launched its new service in a bid to keep up with its rivals and increase circulation, following the Guardian and Observer’s year on year declines in December’s ABC release, down 2.9% and 2.1% respectively (see ABC National Newspaper Round-Up: December 2008).

Guardian Media Group: 020 7713 4452 www.gmgplc.co.uk/