How Much Does An LA Times Subscription Cost?
As one of the most respected newspapers in the U.S., the Los Angeles Times offers readers comprehensive coverage of local, regional, national and global news. But accessing all that premium content requires a paid subscription – so how much does it cost? This guide examines LA Times pricing for digital access, print delivery, bundled plans, promotions, and more to help you make an informed decision.
This guide examines LA Times pricing for digital subscriptions, print delivery, bundled plans, promotions, ownership considerations, and competitor comparisons. Whether you prefer reading online or holding the paper edition, The Times provides options to suit different budgets and reading habits. Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of subscription tiers and insider tips to get the best deal.
How Much Does An LA Times Subscription Cost?
The LA Subscription costs starts from free for a limited number of articles per month, while unlimited digital and print access starts at $1 for an introductory period. Regular digital plans run $15.99/month thereafter, while print delivery with full digital access ranges from $16 to $50+ per month depending on frequency.
Founded in 1881, the LA Times has a long tradition of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism covering Los Angeles, California, and beyond. While historically print-focused, the Times has evolved to offer robust digital subscriptions with app and eNewspaper access.
Here are the core LA Times subscription choices:
- Digital Access – Unlimited articles and eNewspaper via apps/website. From $1 for 6 months introductory, then $15.99/month.
- Print + Digital – Home newspaper delivery with full digital benefits. Ranges from $16/month for Sunday print up to $50+/month for 7-days.
- Introductory Offers – Heavily discounted trial pricing for new subscribers only. Usually around $1 for the first months.
Costs and benefits vary based on digital-only plans versus print bundles.
According to Nieman Lab, the LA Times recently offered a promotional digital subscription for $1.04 per year, equivalent to just 2 cents per week. This promotion reflects the newspaper’s effort to attract new readers with highly discounted rates.
On Subscribed.FYI, standard digital access is priced at $8.17 per month or $98 per year, with a two-year plan costing $196. For print subscribers, digital access is available at a discounted rate starting from $3 per month or $36 annually.
According to How’s Tech, the LA Times also offers flexible subscription options, including bundled deals for both print and digital access. However, specific pricing details for these bundles were not provided in this source.
On LA Times Subscriber Terms and Conditions, it is noted that all subscriptions are continuous, meaning they automatically renew unless canceled. While the terms mention various subscription types, specific pricing details are not directly outlined.
Lastly, Phys.org reports that digital-only access to the LA Times costs $3.99 per week, and a package including Sunday print delivery is available for $1.99 per week. These rates highlight the flexibility offered by the LA Times for both digital and print readership.
LA Times Digital Subscription Options
For smartphone and desktop readers who don’t need home delivery, the Times offers all-digital subscription packages that unlock full paywall access. Here are the key digital-only tiers:
- Introductory Digital Offer – Typically $1 for the first 6 months for new subscribers only. Then standard pricing applies.
- Monthly Digital Subscription – Ongoing access is $15.99 per month including taxes, or about $192 billed annually. Auto-renews every month.
- Annual Digital Subscription – Prepay for 1 year at a discounted $99 flat rate. Saves about $93 compared to monthly billing.
The introductory deal offers an exceptionally lengthy 6-month trial for just b to hook new digital readers and bypass the paywall. Regular digital pricing works out to $16/month or $99 prepaid annually.
Print Edition Subscription Costs
For subscribers who still prefer holding the physical newspaper, the Times offers home delivery bundles. Here are the main print packages:
- Sunday Print + Full Digital Access – From $16/month depending on region. Includes unlimited digital benefits.
- 7-Day Print + Digital Access – Ranges from $30 – $50+/month for daily delivery including digital. Based on ZIP code.
- Digital Benefits – All print plans include full digital suite like apps, eNewspaper, and newsletters.
7-day print subscriptions cost about twice as much as Sunday-only. But print bundles remain the best value, as digital access alone costs $16/month.
What’s Included
While costs vary, all core LA Times subscriptions include:
- Unlimited digital article access
- LA Times apps for smartphones and tablets
- LA Times eNewspaper edition
- Access to archives and subscriber-only stories
- Newsletters and breaking news alerts
The key differences are print delivery days and convenience features like mobile apps. But every plan unlocks unlimited paywall access and premium online content.
You might also like our articles on the cost of newspaper subscriptions, New York Times subscriptions, or Newsmax Magazine subscriptions.
LA Times Subscription Promotions
To incentivize first-time subscribers, the LA Times frequently offers introductory deals like:
- $1 for 6 months digital access
- 50% off the first year
- Bonus gift cards with longer prepaid terms
But it’s important to note trials are one-time only for new subscribers, and plans auto-renew at regular pricing after the promotional period. Existing subscribers cannot extend trials.
Setting calendar reminders ahead of renewal dates is wise to review pricing and modify or cancel if desired. Annual prepay deals can offer long-term savings if you foresee keeping your subscription.
Additional Cost Considerations
Beyond straightforward subscription rates, other factors influence overall pricing:
- Location – Print delivery charges vary significantly based on distance from LA and regional circulation hubs. Suburban pricing is higher. Digital costs do not vary by region.
- Taxes – Residents in CA and certain cities are subject to sales tax or digital media taxes added on top of the listed rates.
- Billing Frequency – Paying annually in advance nets savings compared to month-to-month billing.
- Delivery Schedule – 7-day subscriptions cost about twice as much as Sunday-only. However, print digital bundles remain the best value over digital-only.
When evaluating pricing, be sure to consider taxes, location-based delivery charges, and billing preferences like annual prepay to optimize savings.
Cancel or Modify an LA Times Subscription
The LA Times makes it easy to cancel, pause, or modify subscriptions directly through your online account or by contacting customer service:
- To cancel, select “Cancel Subscription” under Billing or call 800-252-9141. Refunds are prorated.
- To pause, toggle the “Pause Delivery” slider under Subscription. Limited to 28 days per year.
- To modify, change subscription online or call to upgrade/downgrade plans as needed.
If cancelling a promotional rate, take action before the standard pricing kicks in to avoid surprise charges. Know that subscriptions are non-transferrable.
LA Times vs Other News Subscriptions
For context, here is how key competitors stack up against the LA Times:
The New York Times
- Digital: $17 every 4 weeks (~$25/month equivalent)
- Print + Digital Sunday: From $20-$40 per month
Washington Post
- Digital: $11.95 per month
- Print Sunday + Digital: From $19.99 per month
Wall Street Journal
- Digital: $38 per month
- Print + Digital: From $39 per month
Los Angeles Times
- Digital: $15.99 per month, $99 annually
- Sunday print + digital: $16+ per month
- 7-day print + digital: $30-$50+ per month
While slightly above some national papers, the LA Times offers competitive pricing while focusing more on California and regional content. Ultimately the value depends on your reading preferences. Local news junkies find merit in a Times subscription.
Final Words
The Los Angeles Times offers readers quality journalism through digital or print subscriptions starting as low as $1 for an introductory period.
Regular pricing runs $16-50+ per month depending on digital-only or bundled print delivery options. Location, taxes, and billing preferences like annual prepay also factor into the total cost.
For unlimited LA-focused news, a Times subscription provides strong value and accessibility across devices. Take advantage of discounted trials and consider going annual to maximize savings.
Answers to Common Questions
How to not pay for LA Times?
While a limited number of articles are available for free, readers must subscribe to access the Los Angeles Times without paying. Turning off JavaScript in your browser or using incognito/private browsing mode can bypass the paywall temporarily, but this is not permitted under the Terms of Service. The only way to legitimately read without paying is during an introductory free trial period.
How many people can use a Times subscription?
An individual LA Times subscription is intended only for personal, non-commercial use by the designated account holder. Per the L.A. Times Subscriber Agreement, subscribers shall not share access credentials or copies of articles with non-subscribers, nor access content through shared or institutional accounts. Concurrent usage is prohibited and may result in account suspension or cancellation.
Is the LA Times daily?
The L.A. Times publishes daily both in print and online editions. Full digital access is included with all subscription plans. Print delivery frequency options include Sunday-only for around $16/month or 7 days per week for $30-$50+ per month depending on delivery region. The LA Times prints and delivers 365 days per year across Southern California.
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