Rules & Resources
Newspaper Support Center
Share |

Home-Delivery Promotions Guide—U.S. Newspapers (Effective October 1, 2010)

Frequency Changes

There are two types of frequency changes:

  • Forced conversion
  • Frequency upgrade

Note: The expiration date of the subscription should not be extended as the result of a frequency change unless it is done in conjunction with renewal or billing efforts where the consumer is contracting for a new, extended term.

Qualification

Forced Conversions
A forced conversion is when a newspaper eliminates a current frequency of delivery and, therefore, needs to service a new frequency as a replacement. The intent is to classify the incremental circulation as paid on ABC documents.

For the incremental copies to qualify as paid circulation, the following is required:

  • The discontinued frequency
    • Can't be reinstated for at least six months.
    • Can't be promoted within 30 days before elimination.
    • Must be eliminated for a defined geographic area (continuous).
  • Affected subscribers must be notified in writing prior to the change
    • Notice must contain effective date of the change, new frequency, and reason for change.
    • Can't refer to additional days as free, no additional cost, no extra charge or synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional service is "included with the current paid subscription."
    • May be a wrap, letter, post-it, postcard or similar item affixed to the top of the subscriber's newspaper or sent by mail. A notice printed in the price box of the newspaper is not sufficient.
  • Advertisers must be notified 120 days in advance of distribution, via an ABC-hosted website.
    • Site is http://abcas3.accessabc.com/pfc/memberlogin.aspx.
    • Your online filing username and password are required to access this tool.
    • Detailed instructions are provided in the frequency change section.
    • Only advertiser members of ABC can access all publisher information.
    • Post even if you are late.
  • Use of electronic editions
    • You may not force convert the format of a subscription. You can force a change in frequency, but you can't force the resulting incremental circulation to be serviced via a different delivery format.
    • In other words, if the conversion applies only to print subscribers, then the default delivery of the incremental circulation must also be print. The subscriber notice may promote the benefits of electronic editions and even entice them to switch formats, but ultimately, the decision to change the format of delivery must be that of the subscriber.

Frequency Upgrades
A frequency upgrade is when newspaper personnel choose to upgrade a subcriber's frequency at their own discretion (no elimination of current frequencies). The intent is to classify the incremental circulation as paid on ABC documents.

For the incremental copies to qualify as paid circulation, the following is required:

  • The upgrade effort must affect a defined geographic area (continuous)
  • Affected subscribers must be notified in writing prior to the change.
    • Notice must contain effective date of the change, new frequency, and instructions on how to opt-out of the upgraded service.
    • Opt-out instructions must be clear and simple.
    • Can't refer to additional days as free, no additional cost, no extra charge or synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional service is "included with the current paid subscription."
    • May be a wrap, letter, post-it, postcard or similar item affixed to the top of the subscriber's newspaper or sent by mail. A notice printed in the price box of the newspaper is not sufficient.
  • Minimum service must be 12 weeks.
    • If an opt-out is received any time during the initial 12-week period, all incremental circulation served must be classified as unpaid on ABC documents.
    • If an opt-out is received after the initial 12-week period, all incremental copies served up to the date the opt-out notice was received may be classified as paid circulation.
    • If a subscriber renews a paid subscription for the upgraded frequency during the initial 12-week period, then all incremental circulation served prior and after the paid renewal may be classifed as paid circulation.
  • Advertisers must be notifed 120 days in advance of distribution, via an ABC-hosted website.
  • Use of electronic editions
    • You may not force convert the format of a subscription. You can choose to upgrade a subscriber at your discretion, but you can't force the resulting incremental circulation to be serviced via a different delivery format.
    • In other words, if the conversion applies only to print subscribers, then the default delivery of the incremental circulation must also be print. The subscriber notice may promote the benefits of electronic editions and even entice them to switch formats, but ultimately, the decision to change the format of delivery must be that of the subscriber.

Pricing

All subscribers affected by a frequency change must have paid no less than one cent, net of all considerations, for their current subscription.

Promotional Material (Subscriber Notices)

Forced Conversions:

  • Notice must contain effective date of the change, new frequency, and reason for change.
  • Can't refer to additional days as free, no additional cost, no extra charge or synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional service is "included with the current paid subscription."
  • May be a wrap, letter, post-it, postcard or similar item affixed to the top of the subscriber's newspaper or sent by mail. A notice printed in the price box of the newspaper is not sufficient.
  • Can't force change in delivery of format (print to e-edition). Default must be same as original subscription.
  • May entice subscriber to receive additional delivery in electronic format, but consumer must opt-in.

Frequency Upgrades:

  • Notice must contain effective date of the change, new frequency, and instructions on how to opt-out of the upgraded service.
  • Opt-out instructions must be clear and simple.
  • Can't refer to additional days as free, no additional cost, no extra charge or synonymous language. Rather, it should state the additional service is "included with the current paid subscription."
  • May be a wrap, letter, post-it, postcard or similar item affixed to the top of the subscriber's newspaper or sent by mail. A notice printed in the price box of the newspaper is not sufficient.
  • Can't force change in delivery format (print to e-edition). Default format must be same as original subscription.
  • May entice subscriber to receive additional delivery in electronic format, but consumer must opt-in.

Examples



<< Return to main Home-Delivery Promotions page