The Baltimore Sun announced today that on October 10, it will begin offering digital subscriptions to baltimoresun.com. Since its launch, baltimoresun.com has established itself as Maryland’s No. 1 local news website, earning nearly 500 million page views in 2010 – more than any other local media company. The website has averaged annual site traffic growth of 39%, clearly demonstrating its ability to keep readers coming back regularly to stay informed.

“As this tremendous growth shows, digital readers recognize the website’s value – unique, in-depth local news and information,” noted Timothy E. Ryan, The Baltimore Sun’s Publisher, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “We will continue to innovate in ways that provide readers with the news they want, the way they want it.”

Digital subscriptions will be available for a limited time at an introductory rate of 99 cents for the first 4 weeks. After that, digital-only subscribers will have a cost of $2.49 a week or $49.99 for 26 weeks. Baltimore Sun print subscribers will receive a special reduced rate of 75 cents a week or $29.99 a year. Customers who do not subscribe will be limited to viewing 15 free pages each month.

In August 2011, baltimoresun.com posted record site traffic, drawing 52 million page views from 4.8 million monthly unique users. “With breaking news, story updates throughout the day, blogs, video and photo galleries, our news staff helps keep readers informed on the issues that matter most to them,” said Triffon G. Alatzas, Head of Digital Media.

 Many other U.S. newspapers, including the New York Times, Dallas Morning News and Boston Globe, currently offer digital subscriptions. “The Baltimore Sun’s expertise in creating and delivering high-quality news positions the website to better serve our customers in Baltimore,” said Timothy J. Thomas, Senior Vice President of Business Development.