Gannett To Stop Printing Saturday Editions In 136 Markets

The nation’s largest newspaper chain is discontinuing Saturday print editions starting March 5 at more than half of its newspapers nationwide, saying it will instead offer “new, additional benefits” including expanded access to online editions.

The Boston Business Journal reports Gannett Co. Inc. told staff in an email on Wednesday that it is “introducing a new Saturday experience in 136 of our markets which transitions from delivering the Saturday print edition to providing exclusive access to the full Saturday e-Edition.”

According to the company’s most recent annual filing, it operates 253 daily newspaper across the country.

Sources told the Business Journal that while the chain’s two largest dailies, The Providence Journal and the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, will not be affected, most others will, including the Cape Cod Times, the Fall River Herald News and the New Bedford Standard Times. Some of Gannett’s dailies, such as the Patriot Ledger in Quincy, have previously combined Saturday and Sunday print editions into one print product delivered on Saturday.

In a statement to the Business Journal, Gannett spokesperson Lark-Marie Anton said the company is “committed to the sustainable future of local news.”

"Our business — just like any other — is adapting to a competitive digital world. With more of our readers engaging with our content online, we are embracing our digital future with this evolved Saturday experience while ensuring our subscribers have unlimited access to the news, sports, events and information they value most,” Anton said.

Anton added that the company will offer subscribers new benefits such as “universal access to hundreds of e-Editions throughout the USA TODAY Network in cities across the country, as well as ad-free, 24/7 access to our USA TODAY Crossword puzzle.”