Reach plc has announced the launch of two new sites; MyWigan and WarwickshireLive, with a further two launches; NorthumberlandLive and BrightonLive coming next week. This continues the expansion of its digital network of regional news brands.
New sites MyWigan will sit on the Manchester Evening News website, joining MyBolton, MyBury and MySalford, whilst WarwickshireLive will sit on the CoventryLive website.
Next week, on 30 June, Reach plc will be launching two more: NorthumberlandLive (on the ChronicleLive website) and BrightonLive (a new channel on the SussexLive website, which was launched at the beginning of June).
All launches form part of Reach’s strategy to build upon the publisher’s existing audiences in a number of areas around the UK.
In the case of MyWigan, the launch builds on the success of the MEN’s new local brands in Bolton, Bury and Salford which have enabled the country’s largest regional news brand to reach new audiences.
NorthumberlandLive, on the ChronicleLive site, reaffirms the commitment the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal have always had for the county, with the Journal seen very much as Northumberland’s daily newspaper.
ChronicleLive has already launched SunderlandLive and CountyDurhamLive this year, adding news and what’s on coverage to readers in the two areas who were already turning to the Chronicle for Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC coverage.
The ‘Live’ brand, now used across the majority of the Reach regional network, has been running for five years and was first used in 2015 with the creation BelfastLive — 1.3M monthly reach — a title which has experienced growth of 127% YoY.
Other launches followed, including MyLondon (monthly reach 5.6M), which started in December 2018 and is experiencing monthly growth of 321% YoY, as well as Leeds Live (1.2M monthly reach), which is experiencing monthly growth of 152% YoY (Comscore April 2020).
The four new sites will be staffed by existing Reach employees, who will bring relevant local marketplace knowledge and expertise.
Alan Edmunds, Managing Director for Regionals at Reach plc, added: “Customer response to our Live sites has been really positive and we continue to strengthen our digital regional news offering for communities across the country.”
