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Home-Delivery Promotions Guidebook—U.S. Newspapers (Effective April 1, 2009 to September 30, 2010)

Sale of Subscriptions with Other Services

A publication may include a subscription of the newspaper with the sale of other services such as cable television, Internet, or phone service.

If a third party purchases the copies for the recipient (such as a the cable, Internet, phone company, etc.), those programs would be governed by the guidelines for third-party sales.

Qualification

In circumstances where a subscription is offered in conjunction with the sale of another service, the following is required: (See ABC’s Policy on Sales with Other Services).

  • The decision to purchase the subscription must be separate and distinct from the purchase of the other service.
  • The consumer must take affirmative action (opt-in) to order the subscription.
  • An incremental cost for the subscription must be charged to the consumer above the cost of the other service.
  • The invoice, receipt, or billing statement for the other service must itemize a qualifying price for the subscription separate from the cost of the other service.

In other words, the newspaper copies may not be automatically included with the purchase of another service. The other service must be available for sale without the inclusion of the newspapers. The cost of the other service on its own must be less than the cost with the newspapers by a qualifying price for the newspapers.

Pricing

A qualifying price for a subscription sold with other services is one cent, net of all considerations.

Promotional Material

All promotional material must:

  • Offer the consumer the choice to purchase the subscription as a separate decision from purchasing the other service.
  • State the term and frequency of the subscription.
  • State the purchase price for the subscription.
  • Reflect a qualifying price.
  • Exclude any reference to the subscription as being free, no additional cost, bonus, or other synonymous language.

Examples—Sale of Subscriptions with Other Services

Reporting

Circulation generated from subscriptions sold with other services is reflected in Paragraphs 1A and 2 of the ABC Publisher’s Statement.

In Paragraph 1A, the circulation is classified as Home Delivery under Paid for by Individual Recipients.

In Paragraph 2, the circulation is classified as Home Delivery, based on the specific ABC zone where the sale to the consumer occurred.


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