Newspaper titles move into 24.com network

©Helder Almeida via 123RF

The following newspapers are now under the News24 banner: City Press, The Witness, Amanzimtoti Fever, Stanger Weekly, Greytown Gazette, Hillcrest Fever, Maritzburg Fever, Coastal Weekly, South Coast Fever, East Griqualand Fever, Edendale and Maritzburg Echo.

Netwerk24 is now home to the following local newspapers: Bloemnuus, the Boland Gazette group Distrikspos, Eikestadnuus, Hermanus Times, Kalahari Bulletin, Kroonnuus, Noordkaap, Paarl Post, Tygerburger, Vista, Vrystaat, Welander and Worcester Standard.

Wider offering

"The addition of the nine local newspaper titles means our offering now includes local as well as regional and national news - making it that much more relevant for our readers," says News24 Editor-in-Chief, Andrew Trench. "The addition of City Press and The Witness is also a great coup for us. The standard of journalism across these papers is impeccable and I am looking forward to sharing our digital space with them. While we are still in a testing phase with these papers on our platform, we hope to have ironed out technical difficulties and have improved functionality and presence within weeks."

"News24 is a highly credible news brand and probably the most successful online news platform in South Africa. We are very pleased that our website has found a home in its stable," says City Press editor, Ferial Haffajee.

Mobile-friendly sites

"We are delighted to be able to offer our readers local content through the addition of these 14 local titles. Unique content, particularly from towns where the mainstream media is not present, will enrich and personalise the Netwerk24 experience for our readers," says Netwerk24's Editor-in-Chief, Adriaan Basson.

"Our mobile-friendly website also allows readers to comfortably access Netwerk24 on their tablets and smartphones - making their relevant, local and breaking news accessible wherever they are."

Gustav Goosen, CEO of The SpaceStation, which recently took over the digital media sales for Netwerk24, says that the addition of the localised audience means that advertisers are ensured of an even more engaged audience with a higher retention rate. "These additions, plus the roll-out of the new look mobile-friendly Netwerk24, means that readers are offered a much richer news experience - making for a loyal and returning user base."