What The Week subscription includes
The Week is a weekly news magazine published by Dennis Publishing that summarizes major stories from other publications and adds original reporting. A subscription gives you access to the print magazine, the digital edition, and the website with archives. The magazine arrives weekly, usually on Friday or Saturday depending on your location.
The print edition is roughly 40 to 50 pages and covers politics, business, culture, science, and opinion. The digital edition is the same content in PDF format, readable on phones, tablets, and computers. The website includes the full current issue plus archives going back several years, searchable by topic and date.
The subscription also includes access to The Week's daily email newsletter, which arrives each morning with the day's top stories selected by the editorial team. Some subscription tiers include access to The Week Crossword, a weekly puzzle that appears in the print edition and online.
Key Takeaways
- The Week publishes weekly in print and digital formats, with the same content available on the website and in a daily email.
- Subscription cost varies by how long you commit: shorter terms cost more per issue than annual plans.
- You can pause or cancel your subscription at any time, though refunds depend on how you paid and your subscription length.
- The Week offers a print-only option, a digital-only option, and a combined print-plus-digital option at different price points.
- Student and military discounts are available and typically reduce the annual cost by 25 to 50 percent.
Subscription pricing and term lengths
The Week offers three main subscription types: print only, digital only, and print plus digital. Print-only costs the most per issue when you buy a short-term subscription, but the annual rate is lower. Digital-only is the least expensive option. Print plus digital falls between them.
Pricing changes based on how long you commit. A 12-week subscription costs more per issue than a 26-week subscription, which costs more per issue than a 52-week (annual) subscription. The company also runs promotional offers throughout the year, particularly around holidays and back-to-school periods, that reduce the per-issue cost for new subscribers.
Current pricing is not listed here because it changes frequently and varies by promotion. You can see the current rates on The Week's website under the subscription page. Prices also vary slightly by region and whether you are a new subscriber or renewing an existing subscription.
How to start and manage your subscription
To start a subscription, visit The Week's website, select your subscription type (print, digital, or both), choose your term length, and enter your payment information. You will receive a confirmation email with your subscription details and instructions for accessing the digital edition and website.
Print subscriptions begin with the next available issue after your payment clears, which is usually within one to two business days. Digital subscriptions are active when ready. You can log in to your account on The Week's website to view your current subscription status, update your payment method, and access archived issues.
If you move or need to change your mailing address, you can update it in your account settings. Changes to your address typically take effect within one to two weeks. If you are traveling, you can pause your print subscription temporarily through your account rather than canceling it entirely.
Cancellation, pausing, and refunds
You can cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings on The Week's website. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, so you will continue to receive issues or access until that date. You will not be charged for the next billing cycle.
Refunds are not automatic when you cancel. If you paid for a full year and cancel partway through, The Week's policy is to refund the unused portion, but only if you request it. Contact The Week's customer service with your subscription number and the reason for cancellation, and they will process the refund to your original payment method. Refunds typically take 5 to 10 business days to appear.
If you want to pause rather than cancel — for example, if you are traveling or temporarily unable to read the magazine — you can suspend your print subscription for up to 12 weeks. Digital subscriptions cannot be paused, only canceled. Paused subscriptions resume automatically on the date you choose.
Student and military discounts
The Week offers discounted rates for students and active-duty military members. Student discounts typically reduce the annual subscription cost by 25 to 50 percent, depending on the subscription type. Military discounts are similar.
To claim a student discount, you will need to verify your enrollment through a service like SheerID or Unidays, which confirms your student status using your school email or student ID. Military discounts require verification through a military verification service. Both verification processes are free and take a few minutes.
Discounted subscriptions are subject to the same cancellation and refund policies as regular subscriptions. If your student or military status changes, your discount rate will not automatically adjust, but you can contact customer service to update your subscription type.
Print delivery and digital access
Print subscriptions are delivered by USPS to the address on file. Delivery times vary by location: urban areas typically receive the magazine within 3 to 5 days of publication, while rural areas may take 7 to 10 days. The magazine is published on Thursdays, so most subscribers receive it by the following Tuesday or Wednesday.
If you do not receive an issue, contact The Week's customer service with your subscription number and the issue date. They can investigate whether the magazine was delivered to the wrong address or lost in transit. If the issue is confirmed missing, they will send a replacement or credit your account.
Digital access begins when ready upon subscription and does not depend on print delivery. You can read the current issue and all archived issues on The Week's website or through their mobile app, which is available for iOS and Android. The app allows you to read issues to read offline.
Comparing The Week to other news magazines
The Week differs from general-interest magazines like Time or Newsweek in that it focuses on summarizing and analyzing stories from other publications rather than breaking news itself. It is closer in approach to magazines like The Economist or The Atlantic, though The Week publishes weekly instead of monthly and costs less.
Unlike newspapers, The Week does not publish daily. Unlike news websites, it does not update in real time. Instead, it publishes a curated selection of the week's most important stories, with original analysis and opinion pieces. This makes it useful for readers who want a weekly overview rather than constant updates.
The Week also publishes a humor section and lighter cultural coverage alongside hard news, which distinguishes it from more serious-toned publications. If you are deciding between The Week and another publication, consider whether you prefer weekly summaries or daily coverage, and whether you want a mix of news and culture or news alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read The Week on my phone or tablet?
Yes. Digital subscribers can read the current issue and archives on The Week's website using any web browser, or read the mobile app for iOS or Android. The app allows you to read issues to read offline, which is useful if you are traveling or do not have internet access.
What happens if I move during my subscription?
Update your mailing address in your account settings on The Week's website. The change takes effect within one to two weeks, so you may receive one or two issues at your old address before the update processes. If an issue is sent to the wrong address, contact customer service and they will send a replacement.
Can I give a subscription as a gift?
Yes. The Week offers gift subscriptions on its website. You choose the subscription type and term length, enter the recipient's name and address, and select a start date. The recipient will receive a gift notification and can manage the subscription through their own account once it begins.
Is there a way to read The Week for free?
The Week's website offers limited free content, including some articles and the daily email newsletter signup. However, full access to the current issue and archives requires a paid subscription. Some public libraries also offer digital access to The Week through their subscription services.
How do I contact customer service if I have a problem?
The Week's customer service is available through its website contact form, by phone, or by email. You can find the phone number and email address in the "Contact Us" section of The Week's website. Response times vary, but most inquiries are answered within one business day.