Episcopalian Reports Solid Base in 1976
Episcopal News Service. April 14, 1977 [77131]
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- For the first time in 17 years, The Episcopalian broke even without a financial subsidy from the Church, according to Editor Henry L. McCorkle in a report to the board of directors.
In the report, circulated prior to the April 14 annual meeting, McCorkle noted that the publication, officially sponsored by the Episcopal Church but independantly edited, actually did better than budget forecasts.
McCorkle reported that circulation figures had leveled off somewhat after big gains the previous two years but that the tabloid ended the year at well over 225,000 subscribers. He noted that four dioceses -- Utah, Central Florida, West Virginia and New York -- joining this year will offset the loss of Interim of the Diocese of Missouri to bring circulation to over 275,000 in the April edition.
Missouri withdrew from the combination plan, in which a diocesan insert is published in the national journal, after severe financial cutbacks in the winter.
While costs continued to rise, McCorkle said the increase was modest enough so that subscription prices could be held and -- with a 10 percent hike in advertising rates -- they anticipate another positive year in 1977. The publication is negotiating with a number of other dioceses on entering the combination plan and McCorkle is hopeful that some will join the plan before 1977 is ended.