Electronic Editions Guidebook Newspapersbloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/townnews365.com/content/… · A newspaper publisher may choose to utilize replica, non-replica, or a

Electronic Editions GuidebookCopyright © 2007 Audit Bureau of Circulations. All rights reserved.

New

spapers

Electronic Editions

Guidebook

Audit Bureau

of Circulations


Product Description ................................................................................... 1

Delivery Method ................................................................................... 2

Pricing ................................................................................... 3

Home Delivery ................................................................................... 4

• Free electronic edition to print subscribers

• Selling an electronic edition subscription on its own

• Selling a “hybrid” subscription

• Selling both a print and electronic subscription to the same individual

• Utilizing electronic editions when offering a frequency upgrade

• Intermittent Subscriptions (Bonus Days)

Single Copy ................................................................................. 12

Educational Programs ................................................................................. 13

• NIE classroom copies

• Registered College Student Copies

Employee Copies ................................................................................. 16

Third-Party Sales ................................................................................. 17

Reporting ................................................................................. 18

For the Audit ................................................................................. 21

Tips for a Successful Electronic Edition Program .......................................... 21

Electronic Editions

Newspaper publishers may develop an electronic version of their newspaper so subscribers can

have the option of reading the newspaper electronically. Some newspapers may desire to claim

circulation generated by this electronic edition as paid circulation on ABC documents.

This guide is designed to address newspaper publishers’ most frequently asked questions about

electronic editions - as it pertains to ABC rules, guidelines, and reporting formats.

Simply click on a topic below for explanations and examples as it relates to electronic editions.

If you are developing an initiative that is not addressed below, please contact your Publisher

Relations Manager to discuss.

Table of Contents

http://www.accessabc.com/pubrelations.htm



ABC

The publisher will need to ensure the electronic edition they intend to claim as paidcirculation will comply with ABC rules and guidelines governing the content of theproduct.

The first and most important item to consider is the electronic product’scompliance with Rule C 2.4 Separate Editions.

Assuming the electronic product complies with rule C 2.4 Separate Editions, thepublisher must determine if the product would be classified as a “replica” or “non-replica” edition of the newspaper.

Replica – This electronic edition is an exact replica in both editorial andROP advertising as the print edition reported under the ‘core’ newspaperlabel. Many replica electronic editions are simply PDFs of the actualnewspaper.

Non-replica – This electronic edition is required to maintain the same basicidentity as the core newspaper, but the editorial content may differ. Also,non-replica versions do not need to carry ROP advertising or anyadvertising at all.

Both replica and non-replica electronic editions may exclude FSI (freestanding insert) advertising.

A newspaper publisher may choose to utilize replica, non-replica, or a combinationof both types of electronic editions.

ABC must approve all non-replica electronic editions. For a no-cost review of yourelectronic edition product, please forward a copy of your print edition PLUS thenecessary information to access to your electronic edition to your PublisherRelations Manager.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

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http://www.accessabc.com/bylaws/bylaw2423_2.htm#C24




ABC

Electronic editions may be delivered two ways:• Pull Method• Push method

The “pull” method is the most common type of electronic edition delivery.Upon making the decision to subscribe to the electronic edition, the subscriberwill receive a Web site address and unique user name and password issued by thepublication. The subscriber will then be required to log into this secure Web siteto access the current issue of the newspaper.

The “push” method is where the subscriber downloads the publication onto theircomputer, rather than viewing it on the Internet. The publication is responsiblefor communicating to the subscriber via e-mail regarding how to access the issuesand identify when they are available for download.

If a publisher uses the “push” method, all undeliverable e-mails must beaccounted for and the circulation associated with those individuals’ subscriptionsmust be excluded from the circulation claimed as paid on ABC documents.

A newspaper may choose to use one or a combination of the above methods.Both are acceptable to ABC.

DELIVERY METHODS

2


ABCPRICING

A “qualifying price” for paid circulation is defined as follows:

• In the United States:• 25 percent or more of basic prices, net of all considerations• See Rule C 1.1 Paid Circulation Defined.

• In Canada:• No less than one cent per copy/subscription, net of all

considerations• See Rule C 10.1 Paid Circulation.

Today’s rules do not have a provision to allow the establishment of separatebasic prices for electronic editions.

The basic prices for home delivery and single copy should be used as thefoundation for calculating a qualifying price – regardless if delivery format is printor electronic.

To qualify the electronic edition subscriptions for mail subscribers, the use ofhome-delivery basic prices is acceptable.

In addition, all other pricing rules applicable to print circulation are applicable toelectronic editions (combination sales, multiple subscriptions, premiums, etc.)

For pricing requirements relative to a specific initiative, please click on the relatedlink below:

Home Delivery

Single Copy

Educational Programs

Employee Copies

Third-Party Sales

3




ABC

Free Electronic Edition to Print Subscribers

A newspaper publication may wish to provide a free electronic subscription to printsubscribers.

If the newspaper would normally charge for that electronic edition, the ABC boardruled that it would not be subject to premium rules. This means the publicationmay promote the electronic edition to print subscribers as “free,” “no additionalcost,” “no extra charge,” etc. Therefore, providing a free electronic subscription toprint subscribers will not impact the qualification of the print subscription in anyway. However, the electronic edition may not be claimed as paid circulation, sinceit is provided at no cost.

HD Example #1:Assume the newspaper’s seven-day, one-year subscription basic price is $100.

“Buy a one-year, seven-day print subscription for only $25, and get access to theelectronic edition absolutely free!”

In this scenario, the print edition may be claimed as paid circulation since it is paidfor at 25 percent of basic prices (one cent in Canada). The electronic edition is beinggiven as a bonus, so the electronic edition may not be claimed as paid, but also is notconsidered a premium.

Selling an Electronic Edition Subscription on Its Own

A newspaper publication may wish to sell subscriptions to its electronic editionsto consumers who are not already print subscribers.

In cases where a newspaper is offering a consumer a subscription to only an e-edition, an amount of no less than 25 percent of basic prices must be collected (onecent in Canada).

If premiums are offered, then the premium rule (C 5.2 Premiums) applies, whichrequires collection of a qualifying price for the newspaper plus the full value of thepremium.

HOME DELIVERY

4

Free electronic edition toprint subscribers

Selling an electronic editionsubscription on its own

Selling a “hybrid” subscription

Selling both a print and electronicsubscription to the same individual

Utilizing electronic editions whenoffering a frequency upgrade

Intermittent Circulation(Bonus Days)



ABC

If two or more subscriptions of the same newspaper are being sold together, thenthe rule governing multiple subscriptions applies (C 5.3 Combination Sales,section (b)(4)). In the United States, this requires collection of no less than 100percent of the basic price for the highest priced subscription, plus no less than 25percent of basic price for each additional subscription. In Canada, this requirescollection of no less than one cent per subscription.


“Buy a one-year, seven-day electronic subscription for only $50 – it’s an easy andconvenient way to read the newspaper every day!”

In this scenario, the electronic edition circulation may be claimed as paid since it ispaid for at 50 percent of basic price (which exceeds the 25 percent minimum in theUnited States and the one cent minimum in Canada).


“Buy a one-year, seven-day electronic subscription for only $100 – it’s an easyand convenient way to read the newspaper every day! Act now and we’ll alsothrow in a $15 gift card to Best Buy!”

In this scenario, the gift card is a premium. In the United States, the minimumthat has to be collected is $40 (25 percent of basic price = $25 + $15 gift card).In Canada, the minimum is $15.01 (Premium value plus one cent). Since theconsumer is paying $100 – which exceeds the minimum price requirements thenthe circulation for the e-edition may be claimed as paid.


“Buy a one-year, seven-day electronic subscription for only $100 – it’s an easyand convenient way to read the newspaper every day! It’s so convenient, youshould buy one for a friend too – for only an additional $25!”

In the United States, the minimum to collect is $125 (100 percent of the basic pricefor one subscription, plus no less than 25 percent of the basic price for the secondsubscription). In Canada, the minimum is two cents (At least one cent persubscription). Since the consumer is paying a total of $125 both subscriptions,then minimum price requirements are met and circulation for both electronicsubscriptions may be claimed as paid.

HOME DELIVERY (continued)

5




ABC

Selling a “Hybrid” Subscription

A “hybrid” subscription is one where a newspaper offers a consumer a singlesubscription, but some days of the week the subscription is delivered viaelectronic edition, while the remaining days of the week are delivered in print.

In a hybrid subscription, the consumer is only receiving a single subscription,which means the print and electronic delivery do NOT overlap on any days of theweek. For example, a newspaper may offer a seven-day subscription to a subscriberwhere Monday through Saturday is delivered in electronic format and Sunday isdelivered in print format.

In cases where a newspaper is offering a consumer a hybrid subscription, anamount of no less than 25 percent of basic prices must be collected for thefrequency being delivered (one cent in Canada).

A “hybrid frequency” may not be established for the purpose of basic prices.For example, a newspaper may not establish one set of basic prices for a seven-dayprint subscription and a separate set of basic prices for a seven-day hybrid. Onlyone set of home delivery basic prices for a seven-day frequency may be established(by ABC zone) and at least 25 percent of these prices must be collected for allseven-day subscriptions regardless if they are print only, electronic only or a hybrid.

The newspaper may not position any days of the week as “free,” “no additionalcost,” “no extra charge,” or other synonymous language.

If premiums are offered with a hybrid subscription, then the premium rule(C 5.2 Premiums) applies, which requires collection of a qualifying price for thenewspaper plus the full value of the premium.


“You can get Monday through Saturday online and Sunday in print all for only$50 a year! That’s convenient and easy online access for Monday through Saturday,while still getting the Sunday paper with all its coupons, comics, etc. in print.”

In this scenario, the consumer is getting a seven-day subscription – part will be fulfilledwith the electronic edition and part with the print edition. The seven-day basic pricefor one year is $100, so an offer at $50 would qualify. Therefore, the circulation forall seven days of the week may be claimed as paid (as it exceeds the 25 percentminimum in the United States and the one cent minimum in Canada).


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ABC


“You can get Monday through Saturday online and Sunday in print all for only$100 a year! That’s convenient and easy online access for Monday throughSaturday, while still getting the Sunday paper with all its coupons, comics, etc. inprint. But wait, there’s more…we’ll also give you a $30 gift card to Circuit Cityjust for subscribing!”

In this scenario, the gift card is a premium. In the United States, the minimum thathas to be collected is $55 (25 percent of basic price = $25 plus $30 gift card).In Canada, the minimum would have been $30.01 (Premium value plus one cent).Since the consumer is paying $100 – which exceeds the minimum price requirements-then the circulation for all seven days of the week may be claimed as paid.

Selling Both a Print and Electronic

Subscription to the Same IndividualNewspaper publishers may decide to sell both a print and electronic subscription tothe same individual, and desire to claim circulation from both subscriptions as paidon ABC documents. The key to this program is that the publication intends toclaim both subscriptions as paid circulation.

Subscriptions to both the print and electronic editions by the same individual (andboth to be claimed as paid) results in two subscriptions to the same newspaper, eventhough one may be delivered in print and the other electronically. If two or moresubscriptions of the same newspaper are being sold together, then the rule governingmultiple subscriptions applies (C 5.3 Combination Sales, section (b)(4)).

In the United States, this rule requires collection of no less than 100 percent of thebasic price for the highest priced subscription, plus no less than 25 percent of basicprice for each additional subscription. In Canada, this requires collection of no lessthan one cent per subscription.

The newspaper may not position either subscription as being “free,” “no additionalcost,” “no extra charge,” or other synonymous language. Also, due to the pricerequirements stipulated in the above-mentioned rule, “two-for-one” offers are notacceptable.


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ABC

Utilizing Electronic Editions When Offering a Frequency Upgrade

A newspaper publisher may wish to upgrade a subscriber’s frequency of delivery(FOD). There are two types of upgrades:

1. “Forced” upgrade2. “Voluntary” upgrade

In either case, a newspaper may wish to fulfill the service of the upgraded days byutilizing electronic editions.

“Forced” UpgradesA forced upgrade is when the newspaper is eliminating a subscriber’s frequency ofdelivery (FOD). The newspaper will force the subscriber to receive another(upgraded) frequency of delivery as a replacement for the service being eliminated.


“Buy a one-year, seven-day print subscription for only $100 and get a oneyear seven-day electronic subscription for only an additional $25!”

In this scenario, the consumer is getting two subscriptions to the same newspaper –one is electronic and one is print. In the United States, a qualifying price to allowboth subscriptions to be claimed as paid circulation is $125 (100 percent of thebasic price for one subscription plus 25 percent of the basic price for the additionalsubscription) In Canada, a qualifying price is two cents. Since the consumer ispaying $125 – which equals or exceeds the minimum price requirements - thenthe circulation for both subscriptions may be claimed as paid.


“Buy a one-year, seven-day print subscription for only $75 and get a one yearseven-day only electronic subscription for only an additional $50!”

Again, the consumer is getting two subscriptions to the same newspaper. In thisscenario, one subscription is promoted as $75 and the other as $50. However, thegrand total paid by the consumer is still $125. Since the consumer is paying$125 – which equals or exceeds the minimum price requirements - then thecirculation for both subscriptions may be claimed as paid.


8


ABCHOME DELIVERY (continued)

When a frequency is eliminated, the newspaper may begin service of anotherfrequency without the subscriber’s agreement. However:

• Since the consumer does not have to agree to the upgrade in frequency,the choice to receive the upgraded delivery in electronic format must bethe decision of the subscriber, not the publication. In the solicitationeffort, the publication may highlight the positive assets of the electronicedition, but ultimately, the choice to receive an electronic or printedition must be that of the subscriber.

• If the publication tries to contact the subscriber to give them the choiceof a print or electronic and no response is received, or if the publicationdoes not contact the subscriber at all regarding format, then thenewspaper must distribute print as the default for the upgraded service.

HD Example #9:

“Dear Sunday-only subscribers,

We are sorry to inform you that we no longer offer a Sunday-only service.Therefore, we will now be serving you seven-day delivery included with thecost of your current paid subscription. To make your service even better, wecan offer you our convenient and easy to use electronic edition for the Mondaythrough Saturday delivery. This way, you get the paper seven days a week, butstill only the print copy on Sunday.

Please call us at 1-800-UPGRADE if you wish to receive Monday throughSaturday via our convenient and easy to access e-edition. If we don’t hearfrom you, we will service all seven days of delivery via our print edition.”

In this scenario, the newspaper is eliminating its Sunday-only frequency. As areplacement, they are going to force all Sunday-only subscribers to a seven-dayfrequency. Although the subscriber may be forced to receive all seven days of service,they cannot be forced to receive Monday through Saturday electronically. They canbe enticed to receive Monday through Saturday via an electronic edition, but thesubscriber, not the publication, must make the final decision as to delivery format.The default must be print if the subscriber does not respond.

9


ABCHOME DELIVERY (continued)

“Voluntary” UpgradesA voluntary upgrade is when the newspaper is not eliminating a subscriber’sfrequency, but rather wants to make an effort to get the subscriber to voluntarilyincrease their frequency of delivery.

When a frequency is not eliminated, the newspaper must:

• Ask the subscriber if they wish to receive upgraded service.The subscriber must agree to have their frequency upgraded.

• The publication may offer the upgraded service in either electronicor print format.

HD Example #10:

“Dear Sunday-only subscribers,

We have a great deal for you! You can get all seven days of our newspaperincluded with the cost of your current paid subscription. Concerned about allthat paper? No worries – we are offering you Monday through Saturday deliveryvia our convenient and easy to access electronic edition!

You can get all the news, sports, and local information for Monday throughSaturday online and continue receiving the print copy of the Sunday paper soyou still get all the coupons, comics and classifieds right at your doorstep.

If you are interested in this great offer, call 1-800-UPGRADE or fill out andreturn the form below and we’ll get your Monday through Saturday onlinedelivery started immediately!”

Since the newspaper is not eliminating the Sunday-only frequency, then the consumermust voluntarily agree to accept and receive the upgrade. Since the consumer has totake affirmative action to receive the upgrade, then the newspaper may offer theelectronic edition for the upgraded days of delivery. If the consumer does not wantthe e-edition, they would simply not respond to the offer.

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ABC

Intermittent Circulation (Bonus Days)

ABC does not permit the use of electronic editions to fulfill intermittentcirculation service for subscribers who receive print subscriptions.

If a subscriber receives the electronic edition only, then intermittent circulationmay be serviced via the electronic edition.

See also ABC’s guidelines for Intermittent Circulation (Bonus Days).

For information on how home-delivery electronic editions should be disclosed onABC documents, please refer to the Reporting section on electronic editions.


Additional Reminders for UpgradesThe newspaper may not position the upgraded days of delivery as “free,” “noadditional cost,” “no extra charge,” or other synonymous language. Rather, theymust be presented to the subscriber as “included with the cost of your currentsubscription.”

The publisher may claim all circulation associated with the upgraded service as paidprovided the above requirements are met and the amount of money originally paidby the subscriber equates to no less than 25 percent of the basic prices for the FODthey will receive as a result of the upgrade. (For Canada, one cent or more.)

Subscriptions where some days of the week are delivered in print and other days ofthe week are delivered electronically are often referred to as “hybrid” subscriptions.A “hybrid frequency” may not be established for the purpose of basic prices. Forexample, a newspaper may not establish one set of basic prices for a seven-day printsubscription and a separate set of basic prices for a seven-day hybrid. Only one setof home delivery basic prices for a seven-day frequency may be established (by ABCzone) and at least 25 percent of these prices must be collected for all seven-daysubscriptions regardless if they are print only, electronic only or a hybrid. (ForCanada, one cent or more.)

When eliminating a frequency and therefore a forced upgrade is executed, thefrequency being eliminated must remain eliminated for at least three months.See also C 5.13 Subscription Offer Based on Acceptance Unless Declined.

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http://www.accessabc.com/newspapers/n_bonusdays.htm


ABC

A single-copy sale is defined as the purchase of only a single issue of a publication.Therefore, a single-copy electronic edition is a situation where a consumer wouldwant to purchase access to only a single current issue to be viewed online – withno further access.

ABC has not been presented with many programs where a newspaper publisherintends to sell and claim electronic editions as single-copy sales. Therefore, if youintend to pursue a single-copy electronic edition program, please contact yourPublisher Relations Manager to discuss the program.

For information on how the copies should be disclosed on ABC documents, pleaserefer to the Reporting section on electronic editions.

SINGLE COPY

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ABC

Newspapers In Education (Classroom Copies)

Newspaper publishers may wish to serve Newspapers In Education (NIE)classroom copies in electronic format.

The NIE electronic edition copies are required to adhere to all the guidelinesestablished for NIE print copies, such as pricing, fundraising, and thank-you ads.For more information on the requirements for NIE programs, access ourEducational Programs Guide for Newspapers.

The only difference between the service of electronic editions and print editionsfor NIE is the delivery format – online versus print. In any NIE scenario, thefollowing must occur:

• Teachers must place an order for the number of copies they wish to receivefor the students in their classrooms and the dates they wish the copies to bedelivered.

• Copies are delivered to the classrooms.

• If the copies are sponsored, the teacher must sign an affidavit attesting to thenumber of copies actually received for each date (or range of dates) and theywere used in the classroom as part of the curriculum.

For electronic editions, the following would occur:

• Teacher must place an order for the number of “licenses” they wish to receivefor the students and the dates they wish to access the electronic edition.

• Publication will issue usernames and passwords to the teacher to gain access tothe electronic edition. (The same user name and password set may be used formultiple licenses in the same classroom.)

• If the copies are sponsored, the teacher must sign an affidavit attesting to thenumber of licenses ordered, the dates they desired for access to the electronicedition, that the electronic editions were used in the classroom as part of thecurriculum, and the number of students in the classroom.(Example of NIE affidavit for electronic editions)

If a newspaper serves the classroom with both an electronic edition and a printedition of the newspaper, only one of the copies may be claimed as paid circulationon ABC documents.

For information on how NIE electronic editions should be disclosed on ABCdocuments, please refer to the Reporting section on electronic editions.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

13

http://www.accessabc.com/newspapers/n_nieguidance.htm


ABC

NIE Affidavit Examples For Electronic Editions

I, <Teacher’s name>, ordered __<#>__ of licenses for access to the

<Name of Newspaper> electronic edition on each date listed below that were

used by students in my classroom at <Name of School>:

• <date>

• <date>

• <date>

• <date>

• etc.

There are <# of students> students in my classroom.

Signature of Teacher Date Signed

I, <Teacher’s name>, ordered __<#>__ of licenses for access to the

<Name of Newspaper> electronic edition every <day(s) of week> for the

<year/semester> school year (or semester), except for school holidays and

were used by students in my classroom at <Name of School>.

There are <# of students> students in my classroom.

Signature of Teacher Date Signed

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (continued)

Example

Example

14


ABC

Registered College Student Copies

Newspaper publishers may choose to deliver electronic editions to fulfill service ofcopies claimed on ABC documents as Registered College Student copies (RCS).

Circulation classified in this category traditionally represents print copies providedto registered college students in a campus setting. The print copies are distributedin mass quantities in places limited to access by registered students of that school,such as dormitories and classroom buildings (gross draw). At the end of each day,the publication must then collect all copies not picked up (leftovers) and excludethose from paid circulation.

ABC only allows a publication to claim as paid circulation those copies that wereactually “picked up” by students, which translates to the “net” amount of copiesactually distributed. Records need to be maintained that indicate the number ofprint copies distributed for pick-up and the number of leftovers. The copies mustbe paid for at a qualifying price by either the school or an eligible sponsor (In theUnited States 25 percent of basic prices; in Canada, one cent per copy).

In the environment of electronic editions, each registered college student wouldbe provided with a username and password to access the electronic edition. Thenumber of students who have a username and password would represent the grossdraw. However, the issuance of a username and password doesn’t mean the studentactually “picked up” the newspaper that day. As with print editions, ABC onlyallows copies actually picked up to be claimed as paid circulation.

In the electronic world, the only way to know how many copies were actually“picked up” by students is based on how many students actually logged on andaccessed the newspaper. Therefore, for audit, you would need to maintaindocumentation to support the following:

• Quantity of registered college students at that specific school.

• Names of all students (or other unique identifier such as student IDnumber) with access to the electronic edition.

• Recipients are all currently registered students at that school.

• Some method to identify each unique user.

• System generated reports that detail which students actually accessed thenewspaper for each issue (minus any duplication from multiple log-ins bythe same user)

• The copies were paid for at a qualifying price by either the school oreligible sponsor (in the United States 25 percent of basic prices; inCanada, one cent per copy).

See also ABC’s Policy Relating to NIE Copies Served to College Students.For information on how Registered College Student electronic editions shouldbe disclosed on ABC documents, please refer to the Reporting section onelectronic editions.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (continued)

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http://www.accessabc.com/bylaws/policy2436.htm


ABC

Newspapers may choose to service electronic editions to fulfill those copies traditionallyclaimed on ABC documents as Employee/Independent Contractor Copies.

ABC Rule C 3.1 Employee, Correspondent and Agent Copies stipulates that a newspapermay include in paid circulation copies made available to:

• Employees (currently on the payroll)

• Retired Employees

• Correspondents (must contribute at least one article per month)

• Agents (must be currently involved in delivering the newspapers to subscribers)

ABC permits copies served, to those meeting the above parameters, to be fulfilled via anelectronic edition provided there is a reasonable expectation that these individuals willhave access to the electronic edition either at home or at work.

Records need to be maintained for the auditor to support that the individuals receivingthese copies are employees, retired employees, correspondents or agents. Records mayinclude payroll listings, correspondent compensation and agent billing.

For information on how Employee/Independent Contractor electronic editions should bedisclosed on ABC documents, please refer to the Reporting section on electronic editions.

EMPLOYEE COPIES

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ABC

Newspaper publishers may wish to fulfill copies ordered and sold as third-partysales with electronic editions. However, the ABC board of directors ruled thatservice of electronic editions for third-party sales could occur under only twospecific circumstances:

1. For businesses for distribution to their employees

2. For libraries for use by their patrons.

For electronic editions, the business or library would place an order for thenumber of licenses they want and the date(s) they wish to receive access to theelectronic edition (term of subscription and frequency). The publication will issueusername and passwords to the business or library so access is gained to theelectronic edition. (Purchasers may use the same username and password set formultiple licenses.)

All electronic editions serviced to fulfill a third-party sale, must also complywith all other Third-Party Guidelines including pricing, advanced notificationto ABC, etc.

Electronic editions distributed to fulfill a third-party sale that do not meet one ofthe two circumstances listed above may not be included in paid circulation onABC documents.

For information on how Third-Party Sales electronic editions should be disclosedon ABC documents, please refer to the Reporting section on electronic editions.

THIRD-PARTY SALES

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ABC

United States

Paragraph 1:Electronic edition circulation is reported as its own line item as “ElectronicEditions.” All circulation generated and fulfilled utilizing electronic editionsshould be classified under this category regardless if the electronic editions werehome delivered, NIE, employee, etc.

Paragraph 1A:This paragraph discloses the details for all categories of circulation for the CoreNewspaper. Copies served via electronic edition should be excluded from thisdetailed disclosure, as they are not part of the Core Newspaper. The CoreNewspaper refers only to print copies of the newspaper.

Rather, all copies serviced via electronic editions should be classified under theline item of “Total Average Paid Electronic Editions” – in total only.

Paragraph 2:Electronic edition circulation is reported as its own line item as “ElectronicEditions” – by ABC zone. The ABC zone for electronic editions should bedetermined based on billing addresses of the purchaser. All circulation generatedand fulfilled utilizing electronic editions should be classified under this lumpsum category regardless if the electronic editions were home delivered, NIE,employee, etc.

Paragraph 3 (Audit Report only):Copies served via electronic editions are rrrrreporeporeporeporeported in their oted in their oted in their oted in their oted in their own column wn column wn column wn column wn column inParagraph 3, regardless if the electronic editions were home delivered, NIE,employees, etc. A prototype of an Audit Report with electronic editions inParagraph 3 is available.

Paragraph 4:All new and renewal subscription sales for electronic editions should be included inthis paragraph.

Paragraph 5:All basic prices for Mail, Home Delivery, Motor Route, and Single Copy should beincluded in this paragraph. As a reminder, a newspaper may not establish a separateset of basic prices for electronic editions (See Pricing section) nor may a separate setof basic prices for a “hybrid” frequency be established (See Home Delivery section).

Paragraph 6A:This paragraph discloses the details for all categories of circulation for the CoreNewspaper. Copies served via electronic edition should be excluded from thisdetailed disclosure, as they are not part of the Core Newspaper. The CoreNewspaper refers only to print copies of the newspaper.

REPORTING

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ABC

Paragraph 6B:If a newspaper serves and claims any electronic editions as paid circulation, adescription of their electronic edition must be disclosed in Paragraph 6B(Explanatory). This description should:

• Briefly describe the electronic edition product

• List the types of circulation serviced with electronic editions(home delivery, single copy, NIE, employee, etc.)

Supplemental Data Report (SDR):A Supplemental Data Report must be filed with your Publisher’s Statement if thecirculation for electronic editions exceeds five percent of total average paidcirculation AND is greater than 3,000 copies. Any newspaper that claimselectronic editions as paid circulation, but does not meet the above requirement,has the option to report an SDR

The SDR will disclose the categories where electronic editions were serviced(such as home delivery, single copy, NIE, employee, etc.) and the averagecirculation associated with each category.

A prototype of a Supplemental Data Report for electronic editions is available.

FAS-FAX:The FAS-FAX report is produced by ABC using information filed by its membersin the Publisher’s Statements. ABC produces both a print and electronic version ofFAS-FAX (the electronic version contains additional details not available in theprint product).

In both the print and electronic FAS-FAX reports, all electronic editions areshown in total only.

Prototypes of the following reports are available:Publisher’s StatementAudit ReportSupplemental Data Report for electronic editionsPrint Version of the FAS-FAX ReportElectronic Version of the FAS-FAX Report

REPORTING (continued)

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http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/prototypesdr.pdf

http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/prototypepubstatement.pdf

http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/prototypeauditreport.pdf

http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/prototypesdr.pdf

http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/Sept2005FASFAX.pdf

http://www.accessabc.com/pdfs/Sept2005FASFAXElectronic.pdf


ABC

Canada

For Canadian newspapers, electronic editions are reported in Paragraphs 1 and 2 based onthe category of circulation for which the copies were served. For example, if electroniceditions were used for home-delivery, then the copies would appear in Paragraphs 1 and 2 as“Home Delivery – Electronic Editions.” They should be categorized in Paragraph 1 byprice category based on the qualifying price paid for the subscriptions or copies served viaelectronic edition.

Additionally, electronic edition distribution is reported in Paragraph 5 of the Audit Report(towns and postal codes with 25 or more copies) as its own column.

The Canadian Publisher’s Statement identifies whether the electronic editions are homedelivery, single copy, etc., therefore an SDR is not necessary for Canadian newspapers.

REPORTING (continued)

20


ABC

Do have your electronic edition product (if non-replica) reviewed byan ABC Publisher Relations manager. For a complimentary review, forwarda copy of your print edition and access to your electronic edition to yourPublisher Relations Manager.

Do send your electronic edition circulation initiatives to yourPublisher Relations Manager for review. When sending a program forreview, please be sure to include a mock-up of the actual promotionalpiece you intend to use (telemarketing script, direct mail piece, Internetpage link, advertisement, etc.).

Do check your electronic edition circulation volume to see if you willneed to file an SDR in addition to the Publisher’s Statement. An SDR isoptional for newspapers not meeting the requirements noted earlier in theReporting section.

Do purge your subscriber file if you use the “push” method of delivery.Copies delivered and “bounced back” may be claimed as paid circulationfor another four days for weekly newspapers and 10 days for daily newspapers.After that, the subscriber must be removed from the file.

The documentation necessary for the audit of electronic editions is the same as thedata needed for print copies. The auditor will need to verify the circulation wasordered, paid for at a qualifying price, and complies with all other guidelinesgoverning each specific circulation initiative.

In addition, the newspaper should maintain documentation to support theelectronic edition was available to the subscriber and if the “push” method ofdelivery is used, the number of undeliverable e-mails.

If you have any questions regarding the documentation you may need to prepare foryour audit, as it pertains to electronic editions, please contact your Audit Manager.

FOR THE AUDIT

TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL

ELECTRONIC EDITION

PROGRAM

21

ABC





Audit Bureau of Circulations

www.accessabc.com

Headquarters Office

900 N. Meacham Road

Schaumburg, IL 60173-4968

T: 847.605.0909 • F: 847.605.0483

New York Office

122 East 42nd Street, Suite 807

New York, NY 10168-0899

T: 212.867.8992 • F: 212.867.8947

Canadian Office

151 Bloor Street West, Suite 850

Toronto, ON M5S 1S4

T: 416.962.5840 • F: 416.962.5844

http://www.accessabc.com

Documents

Electronic Editions Guidebook Newspapersbloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/townnews365.com/content/… · A newspaper publisher may choose to utilize replica, non-replica, or a