Shepparton News to publish newspaper twice-weekly as part of ‘digital transformation’

A major regional newspaper in the state’s north is set to undergo a “digital transformation” including the reduction of print-edition newspapers from five days a week to two.

The Shepparton New newspaper is moving to a twice-a-week print model in July. Picture: Facebook

A long-running newspaper published each weekday in the state’s north will soon move to a twice-weekly print model to better accommodate its increasingly digital audience.

Shepparton News, described as the “flagship” masthead of the McPherson Media Group, was established in 1877 and is a published every weekday.

In an email sent to subscribers on June 5, the masthead announced that as of July 14, it would publish only two editions – on Tuesdays and Fridays – to help fund a “digital transformation”.

“We’re accelerating our digital growth to meet our readers where they’re increasingly spending their time — mobile — and to deliver even greater value to our advertising partners with a more powerful, multi-platform offering,” the email said.

“Later this month, we’ll launch upgraded mobile apps across all our news mastheads and Country News.

“Developed in partnership with a leading international provider, these new apps will deliver a rich multimedia experience including original reporting, podcasts, text-to-audio playlists, interactive puzzles, and replica e-editions. “

It said more information would be provided about subscription pricing.

Shepparton News has a reported monthly readership across print and digital of more than 620,000.