Are you new to News24? Here are 9 ways to make the most of your subscription

With a solid reputation as the country's most trusted news publisher, News24's growing subscription service is unparalleled in South Africa. 

Since launching the subscription model two years ago, our readers have eagerly embraced our supercharged digital offering of top-quality news coverage.  

If you're new to our 70 000-strong community of subscribers, welcome! We're delighted to have you join the foremost digital newsroom in the country. 

Why does your monthly subscription matter? Well, it helps us hire the best journalists for our expanding news team and funds the digital tools we need to create even better content.

Through your monthly News24 subscription fee, you play a vital part in maintaining journalism excellence in South Africa. 

And in return for your investment, News24 makes sure that our subscribers get premium, in-depth news from credible sources, exclusive multimedia projects, expert analysis, and impactful investigations. 

"Our journalists work incredibly hard to keep power to account, expose the truth and build a subscription business to sustain quality journalism," explains News24 editor-in-chief Adriaan Basson. 

Here are 9 must-know tips to get the most of your News24 subscription: 

1. Listen to articles when you're on the go   

This is arguably one of the most underrated features of our digital subscription package. Our subscribers get to listen to News24 articles by clicking on the big red play button below each story headline. If you're in a rush, on the road, or too tired to read text-heavy information, you can simply hit play to hear about what's happening in the news.  

Give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments section. 

2. Exchange ideas and opinions in the comments section   

Speaking of comments, News24 has built up a large community of subscribers who engage in vibrant discussions about topical issues on our website. Using the News24 comments section, subscribers get to interact with each other, as well as with our journalists and editors about the stories affecting their lives. 

Once you're signed in with your subscriber account, you can create a unique username in your profile. To start reading and posting comments, you must scroll to the bottom of an article. But be warned: Our team of moderators are keeping an eye of the interactions to make sure all contributions are in line with our commenting policy.

READ | Commenting on News24: Your most common questions answered, plus some top tips

3. Relax your mind and unwind with some puzzles and games

If you need a break from all our hard news and breaking stories, you can head over to our games section to help distract you and reboot your brain. Online games are a very popular way to relax an overstimulated mind. We have a variety of options to choose from, including a wordflower and multi-level Sudoku puzzle. News24 recently introduced the complimentary games to its subscription package.

All of the games can be played daily on the News24 app, via mobile or on desktop. Subscribers have access to the full games archive and can also challenge their friends to beat their score.

4. Sign up for personalised and exclusive newsletters

When it comes to our newsletter collection, News24 subscribers are spoiled for choice. Join thousands of subscribers who enjoy a variety of exclusive and personalised newsletters in their email inbox. From the biggest business headlines to expert rugby analysis, there's a wide range of options for you to choose from. To have a closer look at our newsletter offering, go to "my profile" at the top righthand corner of the webpage and select "My Newsletters".

5. Tap into our multimedia archive and special projects    

News24's multimedia team is a cut above the rest. In just a few short years, our talented team of multimedia journalists have racked up the most awards across all sections of the newsroom. Subscribers get access to our highly acclaimed audiovisual projects, including hard-hitting documentaries to award-winning podcasts. 

We’ve built a strong archive of special projects, from hunting sexual predators to honouring the life-threatening work of whistleblowers. Visit News24’s multimedia section to explore our gripping coverage.

READ | Gripping podcasts, in-depth data journalism and groundbreaking investigations: Get the best of News24 here

6. Share some exclusive content with your loved ones   

Now this one is for our subscribers who want to share well-researched stories with their loved ones, especially that aunty who keeps sending you dodgy stories on your WhatsApp. Once you become a News24 subscriber, you can unlock subscriber-exclusive articles for friends and family who don't yet have access to our in-depth subscription offering.

Every month, you get to share five subscriber-exclusive articles with your circle so they can get a taste of what they're missing out on! All our detailed, premium content can be found under the "For Subscribers" tab on our website. Once you come across an article you wish to share, simply click on the small gift box icon at the top of the page and you'll be prompted to enter the email address of the friend you want to send the article to.

7. Get front-row seats to our regular webinars and expert panels    

Another cool perk from our subscription package? Front row seats to our hour-long virtual panel discussions. On a regular basis, News24 hosts a "Frontline" webinar covering the most pressing topics with a panel of experts and editors from our newsroom. We also bring you a closer look at some of the buzzworthy stories covered by our team of journalists, looking at every angle of each topic. Keep an eye out for our upcoming webinars under the "Reader Hub" section of the "Opinions" tab.

8. Browse through a range of digital magazines  

9. Bookmark your faves for later 

Lastly, if you come across an enticing headline or eye-catching clip, but you don't have the time, you can always bookmark the story for later. The bookmark feature is also great for informative articles that you want to come back to - like this one! To bookmark an article, you can click on the white ribbon at the top of the story. To find all your saved stories, go to 'my profile' at the top righthand corner of the webpage and then click on the "My Bookmarks" section.