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To give our readers a chance to experience all that our new website has to offer, we have made all content freely avaiable, through October 1, 2018.

During this time, print and digital subscribers will not need to log in to view our stories or e-editions.

The McKenzie Banner to Offer Enhanced Digital Products, Services

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The McKenzie Banner has a larger audience than in its recent history. I am talking about the combined print and digital editions. While the number of printed pages has declined, the number of online subscribers has increased. The Banner offers many daily updates on www.mckenziebanner.com, which also includes years of archives replica editions of the full newspaper.

There is no doubt the printed edition has suffered as in a national trend. More than a 1,000 communities are now ‘news deserts’ because the local publication ceased publishing. The Banner uses the United States Postal Service for delivery. In the year 2021, postage for the publication increased 10 percent. The mail service also ‘slowed’ its delivery time to save the USPS money. The Banner receives exceptionally good service from the area post offices and their carriers.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press has converted to a Sunday-only print edition but offers online enhanced replica editions updated each day. They are issuing new iPads to each of their online subscribers. Our pledge is this: The Banner will continue to print weekly and just as the Times Free Press, will update news each day online. Other than the free obituaries, the online edition requires a paid subscription to access the news and photos.

Newspapers and other traditional media outlets including radio and television, have seen great shifts in their audiences. I now watch many streaming services instead of traditional television and I listen to satellite radio or streamed radio - some from other countries. And yes, I read some online newspapers instead of the printed edition.

The Banner’s online replica edition offers features impossible in print — readers can enlarge the type; some stories are enriched by multiple photos; video is available for some stories.

Now for another enhancement, coming in the 2022, The Banner will offer management of social media for businesses and organizations. We have the professional graphic design staff, we have professional photographers, professional writers and know the laws concerning fair use and copyright. We will provide more details as the new year arrives.

Social media management is an additional service that complements The Banner’s publishing, photography, printing and advertising specialty offerings.