So far 148 U.S. and Canadian community newspapers have joined Audit Bureau of Circulations’ discounted Community Newspaper Audit program that AIM group reported when first launched in July. This was just confirmed to AIM Group by an ABC spokesperson. The service is specifically tailored to those newspapers with total paid circulation of less than 25,000. The program promises to significantly lower audit costs and simplify audit processes for participating newspapers. It is available to both U.S. and Canadian newspapers now, though its official launch is not until Jan. 1, 2010.

The CNA program guarantees newspapers a flat annual rate beginning at just $2,000 with monthly, quarterly or semi-annual billing options. Participants choose one of two prepackaged solutions while selecting from additional a la carte offerings, such as Audience-FAX readership and Web site audits, Coupon Distribution Verification audits, Consolidated Media Reports and audits for non-paid niche products.

Audience-FAX, a collaboration of ABC, Scarborough Research and NAA,  is a U.S. daily newspaper audience-reporting initiative that allows newspapers to incorporate circulation, print and online readership, net combined audience and total Web site usage data on ABC media reports.

The ABC Coupon Distribution Verification Service (CDVS) is supported by all major coupon suppliers, all leading coupon redemption centers and 17 leading coupon manufacturers.

Founded in 1914, and based in Schaumburg, Ill., ABC has more than 4000 media members in North America. New community newspaper program members include the Auburn (CA) Journal, The Hour of Norwalk, Conn., Lawrence (KS) Journal World, Hilton Head SC’s The Island Packet, the Plattsburgh (NY) Press-Republican, The North Platte (NE) Telegraph, The Dispatch in Lexington KY, New York Amsterdam News in New York City, and The Citizen in Key West, Fla.