Changes at the Monitor: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How will these changes enable the Monitor to expand its reach and impact?

   The quality and in-depth analysis of Monitor journalism will continue and become even stronger. The Monitor editors and staff are committed to sharpening the focus and enhancing the quality of Monitor journalism and are dedicated to making their journalism speak more directly to your hearts - and to all of humanity.

   A 24/7 daily Web publication will enable Monitor journalism to be more relevant, timely, and allow for interactive global conversations between readers and Monitor staff. The new weekly edition of The Christian Science Monitor will ensure the continuation of the Monitor's unbiased, in-depth coverage in a print format.

   The new publication will feature:

   • The Monitor's well-regarded analysis of both US and global news
   • Weekly snapshots of life around the globe and news around the Web
   • Profiles of individuals who are tackling tough problems and trying to make a difference
   • Special emphasis on the environment, innovation, money & values, and the arts, where Monitor journalism has often excelled.
     

2. Does this mean the daily print Monitor will go away?

   Yes, beginning April, 2009, the daily print edition will be discontinued as the Monitor shifts to be fully daily and hourly online to everyone worldwide via the Internet. The print subscription product will be the weekly, and the e-news subscription product (as well as the website) will be the daily. Here's an important step of progress: shifting the daily Monitor online means it will now truly be daily-delivered via our newly expanded website, CSMonitor.com. The Monitor has 1.5 million visitors a month to its website-many more readers than the newspaper has ever had in print. The technology and design upgrades we are planning will enable the Monitor's website to be:

   • A daily online newspaper that reports on events seven days a week
   • A truly global news source that more fully utilizes our international bureaus and reaches more readers around the world
   • A provider of relevant Monitor perspective within minutes, not days
   • An interactive site enabling global conversations between readers and Monitor staff
   • A place to read the Monitor's daily religious article.
     

3. Will you be able to continue the quality of the daily print Monitor through April?

   Yes, we are committed to continuing with the quality and global focus of Monitor journalism, now with the daily newspaper, and into the future with the weekly publication.

4. If I renew my subscription for a year, what will happen to the unused portion of my subscription payment?

   You will be notified prior to April and provided with an option for either a refund or to have the balance of your daily subscription applied to the weekly publication and/or the e-news publication.

5. What will be the subscription price and the per copy price?

   The subscription price will be $89. The per copy price will be $3.50.

6. Will the weekly edition of the Monitor include only stories that have run online during the week, or will it include additional content that can't be read on our website?

   We are currently planning to have virtually all of the content of the weekly print edition be original, that is not previously published on the website.

7. Did you conduct market or consumer research on the new weekly print edition?

   We've been involved with research on this edition for over two years. We've used external publishing consultants, Urban Associates, and market research firm, Kadence Business Research. Current subscribers, past subscribers, and consumers who have never subscribed have all been part of the research. Results have indicated interest in a weekly print edition that focuses on global issues with the intent to provide understanding and a perspective from those impacted by the events.

8. Who is its target audience for the weekly print edition?

   The weekly print edition is for an audience that cares about global issues and how these impact their world. They are generally well educated, and tend to be upscale.

9. What is the target circulation size?

   Our goal is to get to between 70,000 and 80,000 in the next 2-4 years. However, we would we hope to exceed that.

10. The standard wisdom in the media world is that the Web holds great promise but that no one has yet figured out how to pay for a robust news gathering operation with ad revenue from the Web. Has the Monitor found some secret?

    The Monitor will generate revenue both online and in print. We intend to grow ad revenue from increased page views off the Web, while the weekly print and eNews products will generate additional subscription revenue.

11. With reported weekly magazine revenue falling in 2008 why is this a smart time to start a weekly print product?

    We anticipate being able to produce a weekly print product that is differentiated enough to bring modest growth. We have an existing audience that still seeks Monitor journalism in print and our research with subscribers, former subscribers and general news consumers has shown that there is great interest in receiving a weekly publication from us.

12. What portion of the weekly print circulation do you think will be Christian Scientists?

    Currently Christian Scientists represent about 20% of the print circulation base.

Copyright 2008