Readers will have noticed that now, when you are looking at our journalism online, you are being given the opportunity to subscribe to our app.
After many years of being able to see our web content and print product for free, this may come as a shock to some - but I very much hope you will consider subscribing to help us continue to provide the dedicated local journalism we have been serving to Stevenage, North Herts and surrounding villages since 1971.
The Comet has proudly served the vast communities within Stevenage and North Herts for more than 50 years - and we thank our loyal readers for seeing us through a lot of change in the industry.
Throughout the past five decades, newsrooms across the country have had to adapt to the many changes in society, the rise in technology and above all, how that has changed the way readers consume their news.
Yes, we have been a free product for all this time - and when something has always been there, it is easy to take it for granted.
The reality is, none of our content is really free. The adverts have helped pay for it up until now - but the more adverts we have on our sites, the more difficult it is to read an article uninterrupted.
To keep up with the ever-changing media landscape, we know we need to be providing more online content, engaging with readers via social media and present the news in a variety of ways to cater to a modern audience - this includes via our app and subscriptions.
In 2022, the Comet launched it's ad-free app - it's sleek, user-friendly, and includes all of our online content, e-editions and ever-popular puzzles.
Now, a subscription gets you even more than the use of the app.
As well as full access to the ad-free app, subscribers will receive un-gated access to our traditional news website, and subscriber exclusive newsletters direct to your inbox.
On top of all this, you will also have exclusive access to hundreds of offers, deals and discounts with our Reader Rewards scheme.
For a short time, new subscribers can receive 5 months access to our app for £5 - just £1 per month.
Your subscription will help fund the vital, trusted local coverage that we provide.
Thank you for supporting the Comet.
Georgia Barrow, editor
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