By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The next chapter in the storied history of the two local newspapers of Oliver and Osoyoos is set to be written as the Times Chronicle is merging with the Okanagan Valley’s leading digital news platform, Castanet.
Effective April 1, 2023 the Times Chronicle’s digital product will find a new home in a special Oliver/Osoyoos section of Castanet’s news platform while the print version will continue in its current form, frequency, and paid subscription model.
In a world where traditional print newspapers continue to struggle to survive the onslaught of multifarious digital competitors, this merger represents an uncommon marriage.
Newspapers have, for years, been adapting and adding digital products with varying degrees of success. “I think that’s where the opportunity lies in this,” says Chris Kearney, General Manager of Castanet Media.
“The print product is successful and it’s still successful,” he added, focusing on the uniqueness of the partnership, particularly given the continual demise of small community newspapers across the country.
“The print publication of the Times Chronicle is still a successful business model because of the local coverage, because of the demographic of the towns, and we just wanted to complement that with more digital content through Castanet,” Kearney says.
“Every time a newspaper closes it creates another tear in the fabric of democracy,” notes Sherani Theophilus, Publisher of the Times Chronicle, citing the thoughts of a long-time newspaper owner and personal mentor.
With every closure there are fewer legitimate avenues for the exchange of information in society, she says, adding “this is all the more important in an era of rampant disinformation largely disseminated via social media.”
“In order for a news outlet to thrive, they need good journalists and they need the right method of delivery. This merger combines the best of both companies,” Theophilus adds.
The long and unique history of the Osoyoos Times and the Oliver Chronicle continues around a new partnership with Castanet.
Established 23 years ago in Kelowna in what was and continues to be a groundbreaking platform, the company – a division of the Glacier Media Group – has continued its southward spread through the Okanagan Valley adding Penticton half a dozen years ago.
“We launched a Penticton edition six years ago and it’s been wildly successful with over 50,000 unique visitors and we thought it was a great idea to continue to serve the South Okanagan by introducing Oliver and Osoyoos via the Times Chronicle,” Kearney says.
The editorial side will benefit from the substantial resources available, including leveraging Castanet’s vastly superior digital platform. Sharing content between the newsrooms throughout the South Okanagan will benefit both Castanet and the Times Chronicle, he notes.
Local advertisers will also see numerous benefits, with Kearney elaborating: “I know that the advertising department, the business department for the Times Chronicle has been successful and we can just add to that by giving that department more tools to give to the clients in terms of digital advertising opportunities on Castanet as well.”
Theophilus also highlights that for print readers, there will be no change. “For digital readers, they will be redirected to our new page, which is yet to come. Advertisers will have the potential for a larger audience online. The idea of joining forces to be stronger will benefit both towns,” she says.
“It’s fairly rare that you see in the business the old adage of adding ‘one plus one equals three’, it’s the dream opportunity, but I do believe on the business side of things and the editorial side of things that it is the case and that it’s beneficial to both companies.”
As for the mechanics of the merger, the Times Chronicle brand will remain the same with Kearney noting there will be some co-branding with Castanet. He also reassured readers and advertisers that editorial direction will remain the same and importantly that the print version will continue.
“In my opinion, the Times Chronicle will only get better with content sharing from Castanet. I think there’ll be more content than ever, and we have no plans to discontinue print,” Kearney assured.
Featuring the Times Chronicle brand and content on Castanet will also provide readers with more online options, such as up-to-date weather and live webcams for instance. “I see only positives for residents Oliver and Osoyoos,” Kearney emphasizes.
He does acknowledge that some people will inevitably view Castanet as a Kelowna publication but he’s quick to point out the “local” ethos of the organization.
“We don’t see ourselves as that, we see ourselves as a local publication wherever we are – we have offices in Kamloops, Vernon, Penticton, Kelowna, and now in Osoyoos with the Times Chronicle. We see ourselves as local content wherever that may be. Our first and foremost mission is local news.”
