Subscription Friction: Baltimore Banner Earns an ‘F’ from BBB
As Maryland prepares to implement new consumer protection laws regarding recurring subscription billing on June 1, 2026, the business practices surrounding that very issue have earned The Baltimore Banner the lowest rating possible, an ‘F’, from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). None of its regional competitors rate lower than ‘B-’.
The Banner is published by the nonprofit Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism. The organization, which recently expanded its newsroom into Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, is a significant player in the Baltimore-Washington regional media market. Here is how The Banner’s BBB rating compares to regional subscription-based competitors:
Ratings as of April 22, 2026
The BBB assigns ratings on a scale from A+ to F based on factors including complaint history, response to complaints, time in business, transparency, and known government actions. The rating does not evaluate editorial quality or journalism, but rather business practices and customer interactions.
The primary complaints identified in The Banner’s BBB filings include:
Automatic Renewal Clarity: Charges appearing at full price after a $1 promotional period without a prior email reminder.
Cancellation Friction: Users reporting that the process to stop a subscription is significantly more difficult than the one-click process to start one.
Billing Discrepancies: Requests for refunds after a renewal charge has already been processed, which are often denied under current terms of service.
These types of business practices have become common across many digital service industries and have drawn the attention of lawmakers, including Maryland legislators who see them as deceptive and predatory. The rules for all subscription-based services in Maryland are set to change on June 1st, when House Bill 107 goes into effect. This law establishes mandatory standards for any business charging recurring fees. Under the new law, businesses must ensure:
Cancellation Parity: The method to cancel a subscription must be "at least as easy" as the method used to sign up. If a user can join online, they must be able to leave online without making a phone call.
Conspicuous Disclosure: All renewal terms and post-promotional prices must be displayed clearly at the point of sale, not buried in fine print.
Notification Requirements: For most long-term or trial subscriptions, businesses must provide advance notice before a consumer is charged for a renewal.
To date, there have been no formal state enforcement actions or known lawsuits filed against The Banner regarding its practices. However, with the June 2026 deadline for HB 107 approaching, the organization, along with all Maryland-based subscription businesses, will be required to align its digital interfaces with the state’s new cancellation standards designed to deter predatory and deceptive subscription schemes.
