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Industry
Local News
Challenge
Baylis Community Media needed a flexible, low-lift subscription solution to replace its unsustainable micropayments model and overcome technical, customization, and support limitations with its previous provider.
Results
Baylis Community Media grew its average monthly subscription revenue by 12x and more than doubled revenue year-over-year in March 2025. With over 600 loyal subscribers, the publisher successfully transitioned to a sustainable, scalable subscription model.
Key Product
TRANSACT
"Admiral has provided us with the tools and support we needed to transition from an unsustainable micropayment model to a subscription strategy that works for our audience. Their team has been hands-on and responsive, helping us make the most of our subscriber engagement efforts."
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About Baylis Community Media
Baylis Community Media, an independent UK publisher of local news outlets including Maidenhead Advertiser, Slough Express, and Windsor Express, sought a way to strengthen reader relationships and monetize content beyond traditional advertising. With a small but dedicated subscriber base and a team looking for an agile, scalable solution, Baylis turned to Admiral’s Transact module to manage and grow its subscription program.The Challenge
Baylis Community Media faced several roadblocks in its subscription journey:
- Limited in-house development support – The team needed a platform that was easy to manage without requiring extensive technical resources.
- Unsustainable micropayments model – Sought the long-term stability of subscriptions/recurring payments.
- Lack of customization & control – Their previous provider could only support a basic, non-customizable subscription message, limiting their ability to engage users effectively.
- Lack of partnership – Baylis wanted a partner whose success was tied to helping them grow revenue. Larger solutions required significant upfront investment without guarantees of ROI.
The Solution
Baylis needed a subscription solution that was flexible, easy to manage, and built for growth—Admiral checked all the boxes. With Admiral Transact, the team could:
- Easily manage and customize their subscription model – Introducing a monthly subscription option with full flexibility on messaging and engagement.
- Simplify workflows and internal management – Admiral’s dashboard allowed non-technical team members, including journalists, to oversee paywall and subscription journeys without relying on developers.
- Leverage A/B testing and churn prevention – The Baylis team actively uses the platform to test offers and refine subscriber engagement strategies.
- Receive hands-on support – With limited internal resources, Baylis needed a partner, not just a platform. Admiral provided full implementation assistance and ongoing customer support to optimize their subscription model.
- Adopt a revenue share model tied to their success — Admiral's revenue share model aligns incentives and makes scaling achievable.
The Results
Baylis was able to unlock the potential of subscriptions to offset diminishing ad revenue.
- 12x average monthly subscription revenue
- 600+ loyal subscribers
- 2.5x monthly subscription revenue in March 2025 vs. March 2024
Top Three Things Baylis Loves About Admiral
- Great support and help
- Ability to customize solutions
- A pricing model that works for publishers of every size
Looking Ahead
With Admiral, Baylis Community Media has gained an affordable, customizable, and easy-to-manage subscription solution. By prioritizing agility, audience engagement, and data-driven decisions, the publisher is laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability beyond ad revenue.
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