CR announce that most music news stories will be published on internet only

WITH THE Cross Rhythms website attracting 24,000 visits (505,000 hits) in November 2001, the youth media organisation has announced a new approach to its publication of news about the world wide Christian music scene. Since 1990, Cross Rhythms has been a major news gatherer and publisher chronicling the international Christian music world. Today the bi-monthly Cross Rhythms magazine, sold in UK Christian bookshops and by subscription, publishes up to six pages of Christian music news as well as providing music news for the UK trade publication Christian Marketplace. However, though it will continue to involve itself in print publishing, in January Cross Rhythms unveiled a newly designed and expanded News Section on its website (www.crossrhythms.co.uk) thereby recognising internet publishing as the organisation's primary means of music news publication.

Explained Cross Rhythms editor Tony Cummings, "We are now posting new Christian music news stories on our website twice a week every week, and are being rewarded with thousands of weekly visitors. Transparently, internet publishing is a far more efficient means of informing Christian music followers around the world than a bi-monthly print magazine. We will still, of course, publish some of the most significant stories in the paper version of Cross Rhythms and supply music news to Christian Marketplace. But with so much happening every day in Christian music world, we need to be able to keep the growing Christian music audience bang up to date with what is going on. The internet gives us that opportunity."

As well as its Music News section, the Cross Rhythms website features live, 24-hours-a-day broadcasting of its pioneering satellite radio station; information on the ministry's other activities including festivals, magazine, TV and roadshows; a Forum for visitors to air their views; and a spiritual searchers section offering information on the Christian faith to non-believers.

From the March/April issue, Cross Rhythms magazine will itself experience significant growth as its print run increases 50 per cent from 4,000 to 6,000 copies.