A Letter to Subscribers

The Chattanooga Times dates back to 1869 and the Chattanooga Free Press dates back to 1936. They were merged in 1999 and became the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Our family has owned newspapers for over 110 years, and the papers in Chattanooga since 1998. Our entire family is committed to both Chattanooga and the Times Free Press and the core values of good journalism. We now believe we have found a way to perpetuate the newspaper well into the 21st-century.

We are planning to provide an iPad to all home delivery subscribers so we can continue a seven-day-aweek publication. All Times Free Press home delivery subscribers will receive their digital replica newspaper seven days a week on their iPad in addition to a Sunday print edition delivered to their home. The digital replica newspaper will be in the same format as the print edition with the same content but with new enhancements.

We refer to the iPad delivery as our digital replica, because it’s an exact replica of the newspaper, with the same headlines, photos, articles, and ads in the exact same position on the same pages.

Our other newspapers in Arkansas have made this transition in Little Rock, Northwest Arkansas, Pine Bluff, El Dorado, Hot Springs and Texarkana. Readers told us at first they were dubious and reluctant, but after reading the newspaper on the iPad, a large majority liked it better than the print edition.

Here are some of the reasons:

First, you can place your two fingers on an article, spread them apart, and the whole article becomes much larger. The type is easier to read, often without reading glasses.

With many of the photos in the replica newspaper, one touch allows you to see multiple photos of the same event, and with some even videos. And on the replica, all photos are now in color.

You can easily share articles with friends and family, either by email or social media.

The iPad will hold up to 60 previous editions, allowing you to go back and see an article you might have missed earlier.

If you see a particular article you want to save, with a simple touch you can save it to your own personal library for future reference.

The newspaper digital replica will be delivered right into your home on your iPad, so no more going out in the rain or cold mornings to get your print edition. Each morning, your digital replica newspaper is downloaded, and then you can take it with you anywhere to read anytime.

If you are out of town, you can download the digital replica newspaper so when you return home, no more printed editions to catch up on the news while you were gone.

These are just some of the reasons people say they like it better.

Specially trained representatives of the Chattanooga Times Free Press will meet one-on-one with subscribers. Because of the covid-19 pandemic, we will do this with social distancing, either at a community center or hotel if possible, and if not, by going door-to-door. While six feet apart, we can explain all the features with the iPad in the hands of each subscriber, and you can ask any questions of our representatives.

You may call (423) 757-6262 to schedule an appointment or wait until you receive a letter in the mail and a follow up phone call about the details of arranging pick up/delivery, setup and orientation.

We plan to have all subscribers converted to the Sunday home delivery newspaper plus seven-day digital replica edition around June of 2022.

Thank you again for your support of quality community journalism and the Chattanooga Times Free Press.