It's that time of year!
As of this very posting, let's formally kick off our annual Military Drive with a goal of 1,000 free subscriptions committed to those who've served in our Armed Forces between now and Veterans Day, which this year falls on Monday, Nov. 11.
In 2021, we topped out at 2,000 subscriptions, but that figure shrunk after the pandemic, and we've stuck with a goal of 1,000 ever since. In spite of that, the most recent Drive in 2023 wound up at 1,392, so there's no telling how this one might go. I'll always be happy to adjust, as I can promise that every last one of these finds a match.
We're already off to a silent start of 24, in fact, due to three extraordinary individuals who never stop contributing! Thanks to Nick, Doc and Willy, as ever!
Why the military?
Well, if you're new, from the very first month we launched a decade ago, we've given free subscriptions to active-duty military. As I've told the tale often, I could see right away on Google Analytics that there were readers in Iraq, Afghanistan and other worldwide locations where our men and women were serving. They'd pop up very late at night, and it eventually became clear through correspondence who they were. And there'd be no way they'd be paying us a penny.
From there, eight years ago, our readers asked if we could also take care of veterans, those who'd already served, and a small group approached with the idea to fund that as a community. That's how this Drive was born, and it's been ... it's been amazing on multiple levels. The number of people we've heard from. The number we've touched. The number who'd previously benefited from the program themselves, then just wanted to give back and later bought up subs for others ... I wouldn't even know where to start.
Here's how it works: You buy a military subscription for $20, enough to cover a full year for any veteran. That's one-third of the regular price. However many you'd wish to donate, even if it's just one, email me directly at DK@DKPittsburghSports.com to let me know, and Dali will do the processing.
And most important, please pass along the word to all active-duty military and veterans that we're here for them. To receive their free one-year subscription, they just need to visit our Subscribe link and choose the 'Military' option. With OUR gratitude, always.
INSIDE THE WORKS
• Early in the coming week, our friends at BoomPress will launch what they're calling a 2.0 version of the site. Most of that won't be obvious to the user, most of it back-end stuff, but there might be disruptions in that time. Just know that we and they will be all over it.
• Quick, name every media outlet that's covered every game the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates have played in 2024. Hint: The answer isn't plural. Second hint: The answer won't surprise anyone reading this. Third hint: There's a reason we've got the most-read sports coverage of anyone in the Pittsburgh market.
• What a start to Taylor Haase's exhaustive and entertaining coverage of the Penguins' training camp. But I'll be honest here, and I've shared this with her: She'll fry out at this rate. We're looking for help on hockey. I'll take half of the six preseason games, but that can only be a start.
• We've brought back the map. Because I'm proud of how we value being where the story is.
• Everyone loving being ad-free? If you're not there yet, it's only for paying subscribers. If you aren't subscribed yet or if your subscription's expired: This is our subscribe page. From there, make sure you're logged in, tap on the link, and thumb down to the bottom for the SUBSCRIBE button to buy/renew at the monthly or annual level. We also offer mega-discounts, as ever, for student subscriptions and senior subscriptions.
• Grateful that so many of you continue to leave us good reviews on outside platforms. For anyone who hasn't yet, feel free to add your own on our Google business listing, our Apple or Spotify podcast channels and, arguably most important, our own app, whether it's the Apple or Android version.
BACK TO BUSINESS
• Our page-view numbers for the past week were 942,544, with 43,405 unique users over the most recent full seven-day span, Sept. 13-19. Our most-read original piece was my Steelers-Broncos column from Denver, at 20,043.
• On the multimedia front, our podcast downloads for the past week were 99,411, and our YouTube video views were 228,206.
• Our company social media accounts are at 57,137 followers on X, 45,287 on Facebook, 32,798 on YouTube, 15,548 on Instagram, 5,190 on Threads, and 1,181 on TikTok.
• We make mistakes. If you see one, email: Typos@DKPittsburghSports.com
• Our HQ/shop merch is available online. The Downtown shop itself's open Tuesday-Saturday, 12-6 p.m.
• Anything you need, email: Help@DKPittsburghSports.com
• Thanks for reading and, as ever, for your support of this proud independent venture.
