Mainstreet Daily News will double its weekly print circulation at the end of October, providing 20,000 free copies across Alachua County each Wednesday.
The additional 10,000 copies will mostly consist of home delivery to the 32607 and 32608 zip codes, including Haile Plantation. Mainstreet, which started as a digital-only outlet in 2020, launched its foray into print in 2022 with 8,000 copies delivered to the 32605 zip code and 2,000 copies at box and rack locations.
J.C. Derrick, publisher of Mainstreet, said the goal was always to expand into more than one print zone and increase access to its award-winning local news.
“We are thrilled to announce this latest step in Mainstreet’s development,” Derrick said. “Becoming the most widely circulated newspaper in North Central Florida is good for our readers, good for our advertisers, and good for Gainesville.”
The Independent Florida Alligator reports a print circulation of 14,000 copies in the 2023-2024 year. The Gainesville Sun’s official numbers show an average print distribution of 5,401 copies in 2023. Gannett, which owns The Sun, has not released the newspaper’s 2024 disclosure.
Derrick said Mainstreet’s advertisers fueled the decision to expand after the first zone reached a critical mass of advertising.
“Our readers support our advertisers, so this expansion is being driven by advertisers who like the results and want to see more,” Derrick said. “They value running ads alongside trusted content.”
The expanded zone opens 9,600 homes to Mainstreet’s content, along with an additional 400 papers going to single copy locations. Mainstreet provides more than 70 drop box locations around Alachua County, plus two in Gilchrist County.
The goal, Derrick said, is to create an environment where no one has to go far to pick up a free newspaper.
Besides the weekly print edition, Mainstreet also operates a website with daily stories and several email newsletters, including a daily edition for news, a twice-weekly newsletter for local sports, and a weekly e-edition email.
“From storm coverage to election reporting and high school sports, our editorial team works every day to help the community stay safe, cast informed votes, and be a better neighbor,” Derrick said. “This expansion would not be possible without the great content that has made Mainstreet a go-to source of news and information.”
Despite often pessimistic national headlines about print, Derrick, who also serves on the Florida Press Association’s board of directors, said the market also shows bright spots.
He pointed to Tampa Bay Newspapers, part of the same family of companies as the Tampa Bay Times, which uses controlled home delivery service and has grown to 12 weekly publications across Pinellas, Pasco, Hillsborough and Hernando counties. In August, Times Publishing Company announced plans to launch a free weekly in St. Petersburg in early 2025.
“When people talk about the death of print, they typically think about daily papers with a traditional model,” Derrick said. “Weekly papers are strong and growing in many parts of Florida. We are bullish on the future of print using this business model.”
Mainstreet Daily News is a sister company of Gainesville-based MARC Radio, a radio station cluster including Rock It 100.5, 100.9 The Beach, Magic 101.3, 106.9 I Am Country, R&B 94.1 and The Shepherd.
Both companies are owned by MARC Media Group, a family of companies that operate radio stations in Texas and coast-to-coast in Florida and publish outdoor advertising.
Congratulations, much success in your future!
Good to learn that Mainstreet Daily News is doing so well. But, sad to learn that the Gainesville Sun is so down in subscribers. It used to be a very good newspaper.
used to is the key word, now switching to using the US Mail for Delivery and stopping Saturday Print Editions, among other things they have changed. I wouldn’t be surprised if Gainesville sun for 2024 is down quite a bit for Print Circulation.