The future of newspapers [print and online]
The NY Times will begin charging for content next year. Other newspapers may follow their lead but other than the Wall Street Journal which currently does charge for a portion of its content, it's doubtful any will succeed on a subscription basis.
Most of us have gotten very comfortable getting our news online. And truth be told, most of us like it for FREE. But the reality facing newspapers is that the advertising based model most have adopted hasn't brought in enough revenue to sustain the quality of the content being provided.
But the important words above are quality content. The NY Times offers a more liberal view, the Wall Street Journal offers a more conservative view and both are outstanding providers of news and information. For politics, I also like to read the Washington Post which has not announced any changes. Other than those three, who would you really pay to read.
It's not as if the plug is being pulled because you'll still be able to get lots of content online for free.
Here's more on the NY Times plan.
"Taking a step that has tempted and terrified much of the newspaper industry, The New York Times announced on Wednesday that it would charge some frequent readers for access to its Web site — news that drew ample reaction from media analysts and consumers, ranging from enthusiastic to withering.
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All visitors to NYTimes.com will have full access to the home page. In addition, readers will be able to read individual articles through search sites like Google, Yahoo and Bing without charge. After that first article, though, clicking on subsequent ones will count toward the monthly limit. Among the nation’s largest newspapers, only The Wall Street Journal and Newsday charge for access to major portions of their Web sites. A few smaller ones also do, including The Financial Times, The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and The Albuquerque Journal, and more are expected to join their ranks this year."
And speaking of advertising based models, it's worth mentioning that Google earned almost $2 Billion in the 4th quarter from those little ads that obviously somebody must click through. And don't we all enjoy everything that Google provides us with that is free.
Google revved up its Internet-advertising sales in the fourth quarter and approached $2 billion in quarterly profit for the first time.