Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Q: Why is The Ann Arbor News closing?

    A: We need to find a sustainable business model that will best serve the needs of Ann Arbor's uniquely tech-savvy residents and advertisers. In July, AnnArbor.com will transform into a new media resource [online, in print, and around town] where you can learn about, participate in and share everything that's going on in the community. While The Ann Arbor News is closing, the new AnnArbor.com will produce print editions on Sundays and Thursdays of each week, with a weekly TMC (Total Market Coverage) advertising supplement.

  2. Q: Why did you select Ann Arbor for this new online media company?

    A: Ann Arbor's residents and advertisers are unusually primed for an online news and community resource. Research shows that 92% of the Ann Arbor community has the skills and technology set-up to receive and engage with online news. In addition, residents have a deep level of enagagement in their community and passion for Ann Arbor.

  3. Q: When will I get my last copy of The Ann Arbor News?

    A: The final publication of The Ann Arbor News will be in July. Until that time, the daily print newspaper and reporting on our affiliate mlive.com/ann-arbor will continue.

  4. Q: When can I use the new features at AnnArbor.com?

    A: The local reporting and community features on AnnArbor.com will launch in July. In the meantime, this space will include updates on our progress and what we're learning from the community.

  5. Q: What can I tell my friends and family who don't use a computer or have access to the Internet?

    A: While Ann Arbor has an overwhelming proportion of residents who already have online capability and skills, we want to ensure that all residents are included. We will host tutorials and meetings to make sure the content of the site is accessible and interesting to everyone. We will post information on those sessions, as well as forums to discuss ideas for AnnArbor.com, on this page.

    AnnArbor.com will also publish a print edition on Sundays and Thursdays and distribute a weekly TMC (Total Market Coverage) advertising supplement to augment the online experience.

  6. Q: Will AnnArbor.com be able to create enough revenue to sustain itself?

    A: We believe that done right, AnnArbor.com will offer better solutions for advertisers. Deep community engagement and a stronger neighborhood focus will allow for smarter targeting, better ability to connect with customers and ultimately a better return on investment. Just as we're talking to members of the community about the site, we're also talking with existing and potential advertisers to ensure that the site meets their needs.

  7. Q: Can the Ann Arbor community give input into the new site?

    A: The community is the heart of AnnArbor.com. We're not only soliciting your input on the site, we need it. AnnArbor.com will be built from the ground up so you can help create what it becomes. We're hosting a series of forums and events when we can talk to you about everything you want--and everything you don't--while we can reasonably address your concerns. Check www.AnnArbor.com and provide your email address to stay informed of the latest meeting schedule, or email us at share@annarbor.com.

  8. Q: Who will be creating this new site?

    A: The leadership team for AnnArbor.com combines extensive expertise in the local news and information business with deep personal investment in the Ann Arbor community. Matt Kraner, formerly of The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, is President of AnnArbor.com LLC; Tony Dearing, formerly Editor of the Flint Journal and Managing Editor of The Ann Arbor News, is the site's Content Director; and Laurel Champion, currently Publisher at The Ann Arbor News, is Executive Vice President. They have been working hard researching the unique opportunities for local news and information in Ann Arbor. You'll be seeing them around town and can contact them anytime with questions at share@annarbor.com.

  9. Q: Will this dilute local journalism in Ann Arbor? Who will hold our elected officials accountable?

    A: AnnArbor.com will be grounded in local reporting performed by trained journalists who know our community inside out. We will augment traditional shoe-leather reporting with a variety of tools available to us online, like multimedia, more frequent updates, and community input and engagement. Our goal is to strengthen journalism and accountability in this community, using all of the resources at our disposal.

  10. Can I apply for a job with AnnArbor.com?

    A: Yes. We'll post specific job listings in a few weeks. But in the meantime, if you have ideas for the site, email us at share@annarbor.com.

  11. What will happen to my Ann Arbor News subscription?

    A: Your subscription will continue and you will continue to receive your copy of the Ann Arbor News delivered to your home, as normal, until July when Ann Arbor.com launches. All Ann Arbor News subscribers will be contacted in the next two months with more specific options for receiving news and information following the final publication of The Ann Arbor News in July.

  12. A:When will this take effect?

    A: The Ann Arbor News will stop publishing the last week of July. The new AnnArbor.com website will launch at that time. The first printed edition of the AnnArbor.com newspaper will be available on July 26.

  13. When will 7-day and weekend delivery stop?

    A: Your Ann Arbor News 7-day or weekend delivery will become Thursday/Sunday AnnArbor.com newspaper delivery on July 26, unless you tell us otherwise. There will be no interruption in service from one week to the next. We will be in touch with you shortly with more specific information about receiving delivery of AnnArbor.com.

  14. When will 2-day subscriptions be available?

    A: While anticipated product enhancements will not be implemented until a later date, we will begin offering a Thursday/Sunday subscription to the Ann Arbor News on May 1st.

  15. Who will deliver my paper in the future?

    A: The Ann Arbor News is delivered by independent contractors. We hope that many of them will deliver the AnnArbor.com newspaper as well. We will know more as we get closer to July.

  16. How much will the subscription cost?

    A: $9.00 per month for your choice of Thursday/Sunday or Sunday only delivery to your home. It will be $8.25 per month for subscribers who sign up for EZpay to have the subscription payments automatically charged to a credit/debit card or bank account

  17. What time will I receive my newspaper?

    A: It is expected that AnnArbor.com will be delivered in the morning on Thursday and Sunday.

  18. I'm paid the Ann Arbor News in advance now, what will happen to my money?

    A: Your money is safe. You will continue to receive your copy of The Ann Arbor News seven days a week/weekend/Sunday only (as applicable) until July when AnnArbor.com launches. You will then receive delivery of the AnnArbor.com newspaper on Sunday and Thursday (or Sunday only, if you prefer) with no interruption in your deliveries, unless you tell us otherwise. Money paid in advance will be pro-rated and delivery of AnnArbor.com will be extended to reflect the fewer delivery days. We will be in touch with you shortly with more specific options regarding your subscription and payments made.

  19. Will you publish a single copy edition every day of the week?

    A: Ann Arbor.com will only publish a single copy edition on the days that a home delivery edition is published (Thursday and Sunday).

  20. What time will single copies on sale?

    A: It is expected that the AnnArbor.com newspaper will be available at vending machines and retail outlets early in the morning.

  21. Will the single copy price be increased?

    A: There are no current plans to increase the single copy price of the newspaper.

  22. What will the new AnnArbor.com newspaper be like?

    A: We will be adding many new features but the exact product layout has not been fully developed. We will let you know more within the next few months. You can visit annarbor.com, which will be updated as the product develops.

  23. What if I only want Sunday?

    A: You will be able to receive delivery of the AnnArbor.com newspaper on Sunday only. The subscription price will be same as Sunday/Thursday delivery, but, will be a discount off the current Ann Arbor News Sunday only home delivery price. We will be in touch with you shortly with more specific information. .

  24. Where will the paper be printed?

    A: Like the Ann Arbor News, AnnArbor.com will be printed and distributed from the plant in Ann Arbor.

  25. What about my TV book?

    A: The TV magazine will be delivered to your home if you have requested it. It will also appear in the Sunday single copy paper.

  26. I am on a promotional offer, what happens to my subscription?

    A: After the Ann Arbor News stops publishing, delivery of the AnnArbor.com newspaper will automatically continue on Sunday and Thursday (or Sunday only, if requested), unless you tell us otherwise. You will pay AnnArbor.com the new rate or the discounted rate you currently pay, whichever is lower. This will last for the term of the original offer, which will be extended, as necessary, to account for the reduced delivery days.

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