For as little as $1 a week, readers can now access the full digital experience offered by the Pastoral Times, bringing local news, breaking stories, puzzles, directories and even podcast-style listening directly to their fingertips.
The special introductory offer provides 12 weeks of digital access for just $1 a week, allowing readers to experience the growing range of online features before choosing an ongoing subscription option.
After the initial promotion, digital access can be added to a print subscription for $1.20 per week or accessed independently for $3 per week.
The offer comes as the Pastoral Times’ digital audience continues to grow, with increasing numbers of readers accessing news through both the website and mobile app.
Subscribers receive unlimited access to all published stories, including breaking news updates as they happen, along with a digital replica of the print newspaper.
Other features include access to What's On and Farm Talk publications, daily puzzles and games, online directories and the flexibility to read, watch or listen across multiple devices.
Pastoral Times general manager Nigel Lutton said the growth in digital readership reflected the changing ways people consume local news.
“It has been really amazing to see the take up and positive feedback we are getting from this latest version of our website and app,” Mr Lutton said.
“I am continuously getting positive feedback about our new online experience, particularly the fact that we now publish our news content every day rather than just twice a week.
“The other great benefit is the audio feature, which allows you to listen to each individual article, or select a summary news overview.
“This very much appeals to those people who enjoy podcasts and consuming their news while driving or working.”
For its improved digital presence, the Pastoral Times was last week highly commended in the Country Press NSW Ecellence Awards.
It has allowed the publication's reach to now extend well beyond the Edward River and Murray River regions.
“It has also been interesting to notice that, in addition to locals from Deniliquin and surrounding areas, we have subscribers from 97 different postcodes across Australia and even extending to the United States," Mr Lutton said.
"It seems that once a local, always a local might be the motivation, and an online subscription is a great way of staying in touch. It might just be the perfect gift that keeps on giving."
The newspaper's social media presence has also expanded significantly, now reaching more than 10,000 followers and recording its first month with more than one million views. Individual stories occasionally attract audiences of 80,000 to 90,000 views.
Mr Lutton encouraged readers to trial the service and discover the benefits for themselves.
"It is very easy to get started, and we would love for all of our readers to take the opportunity to give it a go and see if they enjoy the experience," he said.
"For $1 a week you can get started without any obligation to continue beyond the 12-week period.
“If you need a hand with anything, from downloading the app to finding the audio listen buttons, you're always welcome to drop into the PT office and have a chat with one of our local staff members."
You’ll find the yellow ‘subscribe’ button at the top of the page when accessing our website - www.denipt.com.au - or in the PT app.
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