A regional publisher is celebrating reaching 100,000 digital subscribers, five years after implementing paywalls on its leading titles.

The Belfast Telegraph, following on from sister publication the Irish Independent, began placing its journalism behind a paywall during the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2020.

Mediahius Ireland, which publishes the two titles, has now announced it has reached 100,000 digital subscribers.

The BelTel website offers two digital subscription tiers: Premium, which gives full access to online articles and app content, and Premium+, which includes digital replicas of the print editions, complete with archives, puzzles and other features.

Mediahuis Ireland chief executive Peter Vandermeersch said: “I am extremely happy and proud of this achievement. It shows that our journalism, be it in the Belfast Telegraph or the Irish Independent, is being valued by readers all over the island of Ireland.

“In a world where fake news is omnipresent, it is crucial to be a trusted source. Mediahuis firmly believes in further building the future of journalism in Ireland.”

Eoin Brannigan, pictured, editor of the BelTel and Sunday Life, added: “In the five years since we started asking people to pay for online news, we have lived through a pandemic, historic elections, disorder on the streets, but also experienced unbridled joy such as 2024’s unprecedented Olympic glory – and even an Oscar for a film called Belfast.

“From politics to business, crime to sport, our journalists are among the most-respected in the business, working to ensure our readers get the story behind the story.

“It is down to their hard work online, in print, behind the cameras and microphones, that people come back for reliable and relatable content.

“Our subscribers are now giving us their trust and their financial support, which is a huge vote of confidence and encourages us to do even more.”

Sheena Peirse, chief customer officer, said: “With 100,000 paying digital subscribers and a weekly readership that spans more than a million across print and digital, Mediahuis Ireland’s news brands are not only trusted, they are essential.

“Our titles lead the way in reach and relevance, reflecting the enduring value of independent Irish journalism.”

Alongside the BelTel, Sunday Life and the Irish Independent, Mediahuis publishes the Sunday Independent, Sunday World, The Herald and several weekly titles, including The Kerryman, Wexford People, Wicklow People, Drogheda Independent and Sligo Champion.