Top 10 Weekly Newspapers in Alberta by Circulation

Weekly newspapers play a significant role in Alberta’s media industry, with more than 170 weeklies throughout the province. These papers showcase Alberta’s demographic and cultural diversity. Many weeklies have served Albertans and their communities for several decades and many belong to the Alberta Weekly Newspapers Association, which reached its ninetieth year in 2010. The media industry’s current state of flux has posed a challenge to print outlets to extend their coverage online in order to stay afloat in a competitive market and expand reader demographics.

Mediamag examines 10 of Alberta’s weekly newspapers in order of circulation to find out how well their websites allow readers to communicate with reporters and with each other.

The Edmonton Examiner, launched in 1977, reaches readers in all corners of the city with a circulation just shy of 140,000 copies once weekly – the largest of Alberta’s weekly newspapers. The Examiner’s website is simple and easy to navigate. Readers can download a PDF version of the paper, specific to the area of Edmonton where they live. The website’s “You Write the Caption” section invites readers to post their own captions for selected photos for the chance to win a prize. Letters to the editor can be submitted and read in the Your View section. There is also column on community issues in Edmonton with the writer’s contact information. All of this content is available in the newspaper’s print version. Readers can share articles in the Examiner by email with the click of a mouse. The website has a news poll and an events calendar in a sidebar where readers can view and submit events. There is also an online feedback page and a page with Examiner staff contact information. The website does not have a page with general information about the newspaper. The Edmonton Examiner has Facebook page and Twitter account – www.facebook.com/edmontonexaminer and www.twitter.com/edm_examiner.

Address:
#250, 4990 92 Ave.
Edmonton, A.B.
T6B 3A1
Phone: 780-453-9001 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-453-9001 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-451-4574
Website: www.edmontonexaminer.com
Circulation: 139,910
Editor: Scott Haskins
Owner: Sun Media Corp. (Quebecor Media Inc.)

The Sherwood Park News, founded in the 1970s, circulates more than 26,000 copies on Tuesdays and Fridays. Its website is similar to the Edmonton Examiner’s, as both newspapers are owned by the Sun Media Corporation. Readers can download a PDF version of the paper on the site. Readers can share articles through Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Google or by email. They can submit letters to the editor through the website’s opinion section. The News’ website features a news poll, community listings for local arts and entertainment events and an events calendar in a sidebar where readers can view and submit events. There is an online feedback page and a page with the News’ staff contact information. The website does not have a page with general information about the newspaper.
The Sherwood Park News has a Twitter account – www.twitter.com/sherwood_park

Address:
168 Kaska Rd.
Sherwood Park, A.B.
T8A 4G7
Phone: 780-464-0033 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-464-0033 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-464-8512
Website: www.sherwoodparknews.com
Circulation: 26,449 (Tuesdays) + 26,449 (Fridays)
Editor: Michael Di Massa
Owner: Sun Media Corp. (Quebecor Media Inc.)

The St. Albert Gazette, launched in 1961, is published twice weekly with a circulation of more than 25,000 copies on Wednesdays and more than 19,000 copies on Saturdays. The Gazette’s website features more design than the Examiner’s. Registered readers can view an electronic version of the newspaper on the site. The website allows registered readers to post comments on all stories. Anyone can subscribe to RSS feeds for topics such as local or provincial news or write a letter to the editor. The front page features a weather icon, news poll, popular stories and an events calendar. The scene section boasts detailed entertainment listings for events, exhibits, family fun and more. There are also community event and volunteer listings. The Gazette’s website links to a directory for St. Albert, which includes information about government and postal codes. There is a page with the newspaper’s current contests and readers can submit news tips and read about the Gazette on its About Us page. The Contact Us page features a Google map of the Gazette’s location and staff contact information. The St. Albert Gazette has a Facebook page and Twitter account – http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Albert-Gazette/109337359097567 and www.twitter.com/stalbertgazette.

Address:
#112, 25 Chisholm Ave.
Saint Albert, A.B.
T8N 5A5
Phone: 780-460-5500 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-460-5500 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-460-8220
Website: www.stalbertgazette.com
Circulation: 25,717 (Wednesdays) + 19,758 (Saturdays)
Editors: Peter Boer & Brian Alary
Owner: Great West Newspapers, LP

The Red Deer Express, founded in 1946, circulates more than 33,000 copies once weekly. The Express’ website is easy to navigate and features an electronic version of the newspaper on its front page, as well as information about pickup locations and subscriptions. Reporters’ email addresses are posted at the bottom of each story, along with links to share the story by email, write a letter to the editor, subscribe to the Express’ RSS feed and bookmark the story.
The website’s opinion section features columns, letters to the editor and CitySpeak, which discusses city council issues. The entertainment section shows television and movie listings. The community section features a wealth of community-oriented links for readers. This content is also available in the newspaper’s print version. The Express posts blogs and videos online and has information about weather, contests and an events calendar on its website. The About Us page invites readers to learn about the Express. The Contact Us page does not list staff names or contact information, but provides the publisher’s email address. The Red Deer Express has a Facebook page and a Twitter account – http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Red-Deer-Express-News-Wire/12133222553 and www.twitter.com/RD_Express.

Address:
#121, 5301 43 St.
Red Deer, A.B.
T4N 1C8
Phone: 403-346-3356 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 403-346-3356 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 403-347-6620
Website: www.reddeerexpress.com
Circulation: 33,449
Editor: Johnnie Bachusky
Owner: Black Press Group

Fort MacMurray Connect, launched in 2002, is an independent newspaper with a circulation of more than 26,000 copies once weekly. Its website is colourful with moving graphics and music, but the simplest in terms of content and the least interactive among the papers on this list. The front page features a weather icon and an electronic version of the paper, which is the only way readers can view the newspaper’s content. Readers can order back issues and special issues of Connect online. The website also has a Contact Us page with a map. The contact page does not list staff names or contact information, but provides a general email address. There is no page with general information about the newspaper. Fort MacMurray Connect has a Facebook page – www.facebook.com/fortmacmurrayconnect.

Address:
23, 9914 Morrison St.
Fort MacMurray, A.B.
T9H 4A4
Phone: 780-790-6627 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-790-6627 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-791-6750
Website: www.macmedia.ca
Circulation: 26,127
Editor: Andryia Browne
Owner: Independent

The (Coronation) East Central Alberta Review, founded in 1911, will celebrate its one hundredth anniversary in September. The Review is an independent newspaper with a circulation of more than 24,000 copies once weekly. Its website has a unique design and is easy to navigate. There is no electronic version of the paper. The front page provides an email template for readers to submit comments to the Review. It also has a weather icon, a link to subscribe to the paper’s RSS feed and an ad that invites readers to submit their baby’s photo in an upcoming feature on babies. Readers cannot comment on articles, but can share them by email. Letters to the editor are posted in the opinion section. The Review has dining and entertainment event listings, as well as a local shopping guide. It has a Business Review page, which gives information about the newspaper. The Contact Us page lists staff names and contact information for some staff members. The (Coronation) East Central Alberta Review does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

Address:
Box 70, 4923 Victoria Ave.
Coronation, A.B.
T0C 1C0
Phone: 403-578-4111 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 403-578-4111 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 403-578-2088
Website: www.ecareview.com
Circulation: 24,700
Editor: Joyce Webster
Owner: Independent

The Lethbridge Sun Times circulates more than 24,000 copies once weekly. Its website has a unique and colourful design and is easy to navigate. There is no electronic version of the paper. The front page features a menu for registered users with options to submit news or a blog, add an event, add a listing to the business directory and upload vacation photos. There is also a news poll and a weather icon. The Times’ website does not allow comments on articles and does not request or post letters to the editor. Readers can share articles by email with the click of a mouse. The site does not have an events calendar, but live music listings can be found at on The Buzz page. The About Us/Contact Us page lists the Times’ staff contact information. The Lethbridge Sun Times does not have a Facebook page or Twitter account linked to its website.

Address:
504 7 St., S.
Lethbridge, A.B.
T1J 2H1
Phone: 403-328-4003 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 403-328-4003 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (General Manager/Vice President)
Fax: 403-329-9355
Website: www.lethsuntimes.com
Circulation: 24,077
Editor: Alisha Sims
Owner: Alta Newspaper Group, LP

Vue Weekly (Edmonton), founded in 1995, is an independent arts and entertainment newspaper with a circulation of 24,000 copies once weekly. Its website has a unique and colourful design with a large amount of content on the front page. Dish Weekly is a page with restaurant reviews sorted by location, price or cuisine type. There is an events calendar, which readers can submit events to and a news poll called Your Vue. There are sidebars of exclusive online content, movie listings, most read stories, most recent comments and writers’ names and columns. Readers can subscribe to Vue’s RSS feed or visit its Youtube page with the click of a mouse. Readers can comment on all stories on the website. The newspaper has issue archives with the contents posted online, as well as a special issues section. Podcasts are posted every Monday. The Golden Fork Awards showcase the best places to eat chosen by readers. There is also a contests page. The About page displays the story, through court documents, of the paper’s history. The Contact page lists staff contact information.
Vue Weekly has a Facebook page and Twitter account – www.facebook.com/vueweekly and www.twitter.com/vueweekly.

Address:
10303 108 St.
Edmonton, A.B.
T5J 1L7
Phone: 780-426-1996 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-426-1996 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-426-2889
Website: www.vueweekly.com
Circulation: 24,000
Editor: Ron Garth
Owner: Independent

Fast Forward Weekly (Calgary), founded in 1995, is an alternative newspaper that circulates more than 19,000 copies once weekly. Its website features more design than most others on this list, with an attractive colour scheme. The contents of the current issue are displayed on the site and are also available through audio streaming. The front page features a sidebar of recent blog posts, recent comments and hot discussions. Registered readers can comment on all stories and can share stories through Facebook, Twitter and email. The website has a large events section with several categories, as well as separate movie listings, a dining guide and an attractions guide. The two latter are organized by name or price range. There are two personals sections called Urban Lounge and Urban Lust. The annual Best of Calgary poll, displayed online, allows readers to make the top picks in six categories. Readers can sign up for an emailed newsletter with members-only contests and concert pre-sale tickets. The website has a page with general information about the newspaper and a page with staff contact information. Fast Forward Weekly has a Facebook page and Twitter account – www.facebook.com/ffwdweekly and www.twitter.com/FFWDWeekly.

Address:
206, 1210 20 Ave., S.E.
Calgary, A.B.
T2G 1M8
Phone: 403-244-4425 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 403-244-4425 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 403-244-1431
Website: www.ffwdweekly.com
Circulation: 19,331
Editor: Carol Harrington
Owner: Great West Newspapers, LP

SEE Magazine (Edmonton), founded in 1994, is an arts and entertainment newspaper with a circulation of more than 16,000 copies once weekly. Its website’s design is similar to Fast Forward Weekly’s, as both papers are owned by Great West Newspapers, LP. The front page features a sidebar of recent blog posts, recent comments and hot discussions. Registered readers can comment on all stories and can share stories through Facebook, Twitter and email. The contents of the current issue are displayed on the site. The website has movie listings, music and arts and culture event listings, as well as guides to bars and restaurants and attractions. There are also blogs and a contests page. The annual Best of Edmonton poll, displayed online, allows readers to make the top picks in four categories. There is a Contact page with staff contact information. SEE Magazine has a Facebook page and Twitter account – http://www.facebook.com/pages/SEE-Magazine/135875629768332 and www.twitter.com/SEE_Magazine.

Address:
#200, 11230 119 St.
Edmonton, A.B.
T5G 2X3
Phone: 780-430-9003 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 780-430-9003 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Fax: 780-432-1102
Website: www.seemagazine.com
Circulation: 16,062
Editor: Jeff Holubitsky
Owner: Great West Newspapers, LP

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Editor’s Note: In January 2011, Vue Magazine was purchased by Rob Doull a BC Newspaper Publisher. In May 2011, he also purchased See Magazine, the other alternative, arts and entertainment weekly in Edmonton. Word on the street is that both papers will be merged into one and called Vue Magazine. Watch for an indepth article on the merger to be posted to this website on July 1, 2011 in the media news category. Also, Saint City News earned a spot on these listings by dent of their circulation but on June 14, 2011 they announced they were ceasing publication on June 24, 2011.

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