Boynton stopped the free distribution of the paper and promoted subscription sales.

Even before the auditions concluded, subscription sales for the season beginning last month rose by more than 5 percent.

Once sold primarily at supermarket checkouts, it is now almost as dependent on subscription sales.

And though subscription sales are most prized, any increase would be welcome.

Encyclopedic bird books are still financed by subscription sales.

The number to call for single ticket reservations or subscription sales is (203) 432-4158.

The site was generating about $35,000 a year in subscription sales.

And at nonprofit theaters, single-ticket income over the last two years has outpaced subscription sales for the first time.

Canvassing subscription sales were the only way to deliver books to many rural areas of America.

Company figures show that subscription sales for the winter season have dropped steadily, to 55,868 this year from 68,168 in 2001.