ABC's Monthly Online Member Newsletter

Five Frequently Asked Questions About Electronic Editions

In March, ABC’s Publisher Relations department held a highly anticipated Webinar on newspaper electronic editions. Nearly 200 locations tuned in to three different sessions to learn about ABC’s guidelines surrounding electronic edition delivery, pricing and reporting. Members also learned about electronic edition circulation in the home-delivery, single-copy and third-party sales categories.

If you didn’t attend the Webinar, here are five of the most frequently asked questions about electronic editions. Enhanced guidelines and an easy-to-print Electronic Editions Guidebook are available on ABC’s Web site.

1. Can I establish a separate set of basic prices for my electronic edition?
ABC guidelines do not allow a separate set of basic prices to be established for an electronic edition. The basic prices established for home-delivery and single-copy sales are the foundation for calculating the qualifying price of any edition – regardless if it is delivered in a print or electronic format.

For more information about establishing a qualifying price for your electronic edition, visit ABC’s Web site.

2. Can I use my electronic edition to offer a frequency upgrade?
A newspaper may serve electronic editions to offer either a “forced” or “voluntary” frequency upgrade.

If the upgrade is forced, the newspaper may begin the service of the new frequency without the permission of the subscriber. However, the subscriber must be given the option to receive the forced upgrade in the either print or electronic version and opt to receive the electronic edition over the print edition. If the subscriber does not respond or choose between the print or electronic edition, they must be served the print edition as the default.

If the upgrade is voluntary, the subscriber must agree to the upgraded frequency. Since the upgrade is voluntary, the newspaper may choose to only offer the electronic edition as the upgrade.

To learn more about forced or voluntary frequency upgrades, visit ABC’s Web site.

3. Can I use my electronic edition to fulfill intermittent circulation (bonus day) service?
If the subscriber receives a print subscription, ABC guidelines state that electronic editions may not be used to fulfill intermittent circulation service.

If the subscriber only receives an electronic subscription, then the intermittent circulation may be fulfilled via the electronic edition.

To learn more about intermittent circulation requirements, visit ABC’s Web site.

4. Can I use electronic editions to serve employee copies?
ABC guidelines allow newspapers to serve employee copies via an electronic edition as long as there is a reasonable expectation that the employee has access to the electronic edition either at work or at home.

All other requirements of Rule C 3.1 Employee, Correspondent and Agent Copies also apply to electronic editions.

To learn more about serving electronic editions to employees, visit ABC’s Web site.

5. Can I serve third-party sales copies as electronic editions?
Newspapers can serve electronic editions to fulfill a third-party sales order under two circumstances:

1. For businesses for distribution to their employees
2. For libraries for use by their patrons

Electronic editions used to fulfill a third-party sale that does not fall under one of these two circumstances may not be included as paid circulation on ABC statements. All other Third-Party Guidelines apply to the electronic edition copies.

To learn more about serving electronic editions to fulfill a third-party sale, visit ABC’s Web site.

As a general rule, the same guidelines and rules apply to the electronic product as apply to the print product. If you have any questions about your electronic edition program, please contact your Publisher Relations manager.

Related Links:
Electronic Editions Guidelines
Electronic Editions Guidebook
Ask ABC: Electronic Editions of Newspapers

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