What The Week subscription covers and who it's for

The Week is a weekly news magazine that summarizes major stories from other publications, rather than reporting original news. Each issue pulls together articles from newspapers, magazines, and websites across the political spectrum, condensing them into roughly 40 pages. For homeowners, it can be useful background reading on housing policy, interest rates, construction trends, and local development — but it's a general-interest publication, not a homeowner-specific resource.

The magazine arrives in print form on Fridays or Saturdays, depending on your location. A digital edition is also available through their website and mobile app, accessible the same day. Most subscribers use it as a way to stay informed on current events without spending hours reading multiple news sources.

The subscription model is straightforward: you pay a set rate per year or per issue, and the magazine is delivered to your address or made available online. There are no hidden fees or automatic upgrades, though the price does increase each year in line with inflation and production costs.

Key Takeaways

  • The Week is a weekly news summary magazine available in print and digital formats, with no original reporting of its own.
  • Print subscriptions cost roughly $80 to $100 per year depending on promotional offers, while digital-only subscriptions are typically cheaper.
  • You can pause, resume, or cancel your subscription at any time without penalty, though refunds for unused issues are not may provide.
  • The magazine arrives on Fridays or Saturdays in print form, and the digital edition is available the same day through their website and app.
  • For homeowners specifically, The Week covers housing policy and economic trends but is not a substitute for home maintenance or repair guidance.

Print vs. digital: which format makes sense

Print subscriptions include both the physical magazine and access to the digital edition. This is the standard offering and costs more than digital alone, but gives you the option to read offline and keep physical copies. Print arrives weekly and takes up shelf space, so it works best if you have a reading routine and don't mind recycling old issues.

Digital-only subscriptions cost less — typically 30 to 40 percent less than print — and include access to the website and mobile app. You can read on any device, search past articles, and don't accumulate paper. The trade-off is that you're tied to an internet connection and a screen, and some readers find digital news fatigue sets in faster than with print.

Many households start with print and switch to digital after a year or two, or use both depending on travel and schedule. The subscription can be changed between formats without restarting your term.

How much The Week costs and what affects the price

Print subscriptions typically run $80 to $100 per year when purchased at the standard rate, though promotional offers often bring the first year down to $40 to $60. Digital-only subscriptions are usually $50 to $70 per year. These prices vary based on current promotions, so the rate you see when you sign up may differ from what a new subscriber sees next month.

The magazine raises its subscription price annually, usually in the fall. If you're already a subscriber, you'll receive notice before the increase takes effect. Existing subscribers often see smaller increases than new subscribers, and promotional rates for renewal are common if you're willing to shop around or call customer service.

Single-issue purchases are available at newsstands and through their website, typically costing $5 to $7 per issue. This is useful if you want to try the magazine before committing to a subscription, or if you're interested in a specific week's coverage.

How to start, pause, or cancel your subscription

Subscriptions are managed through The Week's website. You create an account, choose your format (print, digital, or both), enter payment information, and your subscription begins immediately. Digital access starts the same day; print delivery begins within one to two weeks depending on your location and the postal service.

You can pause your subscription for up to three months without losing your place in the subscription term. This is useful if you're traveling or temporarily don't want magazines arriving. Pausing is done through your account settings and takes effect after the current issue ships.

Cancellation can be done online through your account or by calling customer service. There are no cancellation fees or penalties. If you cancel mid-subscription, refunds for undelivered issues are handled on a case-by-case basis — The Week's policy is to refund the prorated amount, but it's worth confirming the exact amount before you cancel.

What happens if you miss an issue or have delivery problems

If a print issue doesn't arrive, contact customer service with your subscription number and the issue date. They can reship the magazine or credit your account. Delivery delays of one to two weeks are normal during holidays or bad weather, so it's worth waiting a few days before reporting a missing issue.

Digital subscribers can access back issues through their account indefinitely, so a missed week doesn't mean you lose access to that content. You can read it whenever you want, even months later.

If you move, update your address through your account settings at least two weeks before the move date. The post office can forward magazines, but updating your subscription address directly ensures uninterrupted delivery and avoids the risk of issues being returned to The Week's office.

How The Week compares to other news sources for homeowners

The Week is a general-interest publication and doesn't focus on housing or home maintenance. If you're looking for information about mortgage rates, home repair, or local real estate trends, you'll find better resources in publications like Money magazine, Consumer Reports, or your local newspaper's real estate section. Those sources report original news and offer deeper coverage of housing-specific topics.

The Week's value for homeowners is as a broad news summary that keeps you informed on economic policy, interest rates, and construction trends that affect the housing market indirectly. It's useful background reading if you want to understand the context behind mortgage rate changes or local development decisions, but it shouldn't be your primary source for home maintenance or repair guidance.

Many homeowners combine The Week with targeted resources: The Week for general news and economic context, your local newspaper for real estate and development news, and specialized guides for specific home maintenance or repair questions. This approach gives you both breadth and depth without information overload.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after subscribing?

The Week typically offers a money-back may provide within the first few weeks of a new subscription, though the exact window varies. Contact customer service with your subscription number to request a refund. If you've already received issues, you may be asked to return them or confirm you'll recycle them.

Does The Week cover local news or just national stories?

The Week focuses on national and international news, pulling stories from major publications. It does not cover local news specific to your city or region. For local housing, development, and real estate news, your local newspaper or city planning department website is a better source.

Can I share my subscription with family members?

Print subscriptions are tied to a delivery address, so only the person at that address receives the physical magazine. Digital subscriptions can typically be accessed from multiple devices by the same account holder, but sharing login credentials with other people violates The Week's terms of service.

What if I want to switch from print to digital or vice versa?

Log into your account and change your subscription format. The change takes effect after your current billing cycle ends. You won't lose any remaining subscription time — it simply converts to the new format at the same rate.

Is The Week a good resource for understanding housing policy changes?

The Week can provide useful context on major housing policy news — interest rate changes, new regulations, or significant market shifts — because it summarizes reporting from multiple sources. However, it's not a substitute for detailed policy analysis. For in-depth information on specific housing programs or regulations, check your state housing authority or HUD's website directly.