Q. What is Charlotte Observer Plus?

Charlotte Observer Plus provides unlimited access to all content on our newspaper’s website, charlotteobserver.com, our mobile site m.charlotte.com and our iPhone and Android smartphone apps, and our electronic replica edition (e-edition), in addition to your printed newspaper subscription.

Q. What is changing on the Observer’s website?

Beginning Dec. 19, you will have limited access to all our digital platforms – including the website and smartphone apps – if you don’t have a digital subscription. You will only be able to read a small number of stories before you are asked to enter your Charlotte Observer Plus account information. Digital subscriptions bundled with your print delivery offer the best value.

Q. Why are you doing this?

Readers are changing how they want to get our news and information. Online usage has grown dramatically in recent years. For more than 125 years, the Observer has provided our communities with local, regional, national and world news in printed format delivered once every day. Now, our readers want that same instant access to their news. So we have transformed our business, restructured and retrained our staffs, developed new skill sets to deliver breaking news through a variety of platforms and have become 24/7 information specialists.

Q. What is the cost of the new package?

If you are a Charlotte Observer home delivery subscriber who receives the paper seven days a week, or on weekends, the digital subscription will cost you an additional 67 cents a week. If you get the newspaper only on Sunday, you’ll pay an additional 45 cents a week.

Readers who do not have a Charlotte Observer newspaper subscription and want only digital access can purchase the digital bundle alone for $0.99 for the first month and $9.95 per month after that; or $99.95 per year if paid annually.

Q. What if I buy the paper at a store or rack?

Single copy purchases do not include digital subscriptions.

Q. What is the e-edition?

The e-edition is a replica of that day’s Observer, as well as issues from the past three years. You can read (and print out) stories, advertisements, etc., and it looks like your regular print newspaper.

Q. What if I recently renewed my newspaper subscription? Do I have to pay extra now?

The digital bundle charges will be on any renewal bill or charge that is due on Dec. 19 or later. If you’ve renewed your Charlotte Observer newspaper subscription for 3, 6 or 12 months in advance, you’ll have access to the digital package without charge until your subscription is due for renewal.

Q. What changes on Dec. 19 when I come to your website?

After you’ve read a specific number of stories on our website or through a mobile device, you’ll be asked to sign in before proceeding. Home delivery customers will sign in and continue on. Others will be asked to pick which digital bundle they would prefer to purchase.

Q. Can I share the digital account with other members of my household?

Yes.

Q. What if I don’t want digital access?

Most of our readers have access to the Internet and use our website or mobile applications, so bundling them makes sense for most people. But if you never use the website and don’t have a smartphone or tablet, you can opt out of the digital portion. Information on how will be available in December.

Q. How can I learn more?

More information on how you’ll access your new digital account will be distributed in the paper and online in December.

Q. I still have questions or comments.

Email observerplus@charlotteobserver.com. You also can call customer service at 1-800-532-5350 if you have a specific question about your account. Call wait times could be high due to the Thanksgiving holiday and we’d recommend not calling until Dec. 1 with questions about digital subscriptions.