The Yukon Star today launched its paid online subscription system, after weeks of development by web experts. While much online content will remain free, extra content will be accessible only to paid subscribers.

“Many Yukoners asked how they can support this new, locally owned media organization. This is the most direct way possible to subscribe and donate, as well as purchase the print edition, and advertise,” said publisher Max Fraser.

“This fulfills the promise to more than 135 people who supported us through a crowdfunding campaign in the spring, with a one-year subscription to the newspaper online, and other benefits, effective today.”

The Yukon Star began publishing online May 22, succeeding the Whitehorse Star. Its tenth weekly print edition will be in circulation this Friday, Aug. 2.

The Yukon Star has enjoyed good success to date and is on track to reach its future goals. 

“The website has attracted more than 25,000 users, up to 2,000 per day, in less than two months.  More than 3,500 copies of the weekly full-colour print edition are sold or distributed every Friday. And every weekday, more than 830 subscribers receive a free online newsletter,” the publisher stated.

“The success of the paper will depend very much on community support,” said Fraser.

“We are encouraging donations as well as subscriptions. People can choose to Be a Star, a Silver Star, Gold Star, Platinum Star or Super Star. As the level of the contribution increases, so do the rewards, though the main benefit is a reliable, independent source of local news.”

The goal is to have more than a thousand people as paid subscribers of the online edition by June 2025. This will be an important source of revenue; sales of the weekly print edition and advertising revenue are also key sources of finance that must also increase over time.

The daily newsletter will remain free of charge, as will most online content. Paid subscribers will have online access to the print editions and other benefits to be announced.