Report updated Mar 26, 2026
Columbus Dispatch: Local News
v8.9.0Columbus and Ohio residents who value local journalism, community-focused storytelling, and in-depth coverage of regional politics, sports, and development.
What Is Columbus Dispatch: Local News?
Launched Mar 20, 2014
Updated Mar 2026
What users think iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
Media Gallery
Key Features
A digital replica of the daily print newspaper for a traditional reading experience
Customized news stream tailored to individual user interests and preferences
Push notifications for immediate updates on local and regional news
In-depth coverage and analysis of local teams like the Blue Jackets, the Crew, and Ohio State University
Access to daily crosswords and other challenging puzzles
Audio content featuring hosts connected to the local Columbus community
Recent User Sentiment iIndependent intel reports to help builders create better apps or enhance existing ones. Still in beta, accuracy and relevancy get better every day. For informational purposes only.
“Recent user voice shows a frustrated sentiment. Users appreciate content quality and ease of use (positive), but report technical bugs and stability and subscription and login issues.”
What Users Love
Great way to keep up with the important latest news.
I really enjoy my Dispatch e-edition!
I like the layout of the pictures and articles.
Easy to use.
Pain Points
App locks, jumps to ads you can't exit.
Many of the section links don't work.
Haven’t been able to get my iTunes subscription to work.
My phone asks me each time to reenter email and password.
High confidence · 99 reviews available
App Store Performance
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Grossing | #76 | ▲2 |
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Strong brand equity
- Exclusive local content
- Effective metered paywall
Cons
- Technical instability
- Broken authentication
- Intrusive ad-loading
Market Outlook
Growth Opportunities
- Improve feed personalization
- Enhance podcast engagement
- Capture local news market share
Market Threats
- High subscriber churn
- Negative app store reputation
- Alternative news aggregators
Key Takeaways
Columbus Dispatch: Local News is a frustrating news app that is available. With a 3.8/5 rating from 3.2K reviews, it frustrates many users from users. Users particularly appreciate content quality, though technical bugs and stability remains a common concern.
Best for: Columbus and Ohio residents who value local journalism, community-focused storytelling, and in-depth coverage of regional politics, sports, and development.
App Details & Pricing
Model: subscription
Uses a metered paywall strategy to convert casual readers into subscribers, with tiered access levels including digital-only and print-bundled options.
iOS Version
8.9.0
Android Version
8.7.1
Release Date
Mar 20, 2014
iOS Price
Free
Android Price
Free
Developer
Gannett