Independent Group now charging for Local Newspapers online

athtrasna

Was horrified the other day when glancing at the local paper from the town I used to live in, to see that Independent Media are now charging for online access.

Single article=€ 0.50
10 article bundle=€ 3.50

Subscriptions:
3 month subscription=€ 19.99
6 month subscription=€ 29.99
1 year subscription=€ 49.99

Now the paper isn't great and their website is dire, articles hard to find so to see them charging, it's crazy!!

Cunsiderthis

the irish times tried to charge for its online service in the past, and the problem is that there is so much free online content, that the main effect was that their online service was never going to be a popular service while it was restricted to a few people who paid to view it.

I'm an avid newspaper reader and read papers from around the globe, and notice that the Murdock group is going to be charging for its online services shortly, and it will be interesting to see how that works for them.

My guess is that it will not be a success while there is competition online which is as good in quality terms, and is free. What is likely to happen is that the decline in online readership will reduce their online advertising revenue, and even if the subscriptions make up the shortfall in the short term, in the longer term it is likely to be judged a mistake, unless all the others follow suit.

IRE60

Interestingly enough, Johnston Press have just (Mar. 31st) announced that it is dropping its experimental paywall asap. It was running on 6 titles and they were charging £5 a quarter for access.

So even at £5 a quarter they put the breaks were applied - one paper had subscriptions in 'the low double figures'.

How will the absolutely ludicrous price of €19.99 for quarterly access to, say the Gorey Guardian, work out?

And more importantly, if it doesn't work (and the evidence from Johnston would indicate that the regionals don't have the pull) will they back down or take their normal stubborn stance and fly in the face of reason.

jdivision

It's not necessarily about driving traffic to the site it's about driving people to buy the paper. That's what newspapers want. Charging for local content makes sense, if people really want to know what their neighbours are up to then they'll pay for it. The reality is that Irish newspapers will all move to a pay format over the next year, they can't afford not to. Whether it'll work or not is another question of course.

IRE60

jdivision - my 'thesis' as such, would be different. I think the stable door is swinging in INM. It's way too late to try and convince a 25 yr old in Bray that they should buy the People every Thursday - when their parents didn't.

I think that if you cant get then in print - and you have the information stored digitally - then try and get them on the web

kittytwister

I suggest you subscribe to the Press reader service you will not hear about that on RTE or anywhere as its a steal all the newspapers in the world including out own Independent and Times each day for a sub of 29 dollars per month. I find it brilliant only papers I see that are not available are Murdocks. You can get three Irish Dailys and all the UK papers and after a few days working the system and getting used to it I would not change. Get up in the morning and switch on your computer and within 10 minutes ten of your favourite papers are there to read. I should be charging for imparting this info!!! Got it from my son.

IRE60

paper killer!!!

exactly - if they charge now - what value do you place on that information? You getting it for nothing now.. that's your perceived price.

kittytwister

No I do value information received and find that in comparison to paying 1.80 perday for the Independent this is far better value and you do not get it for free you get some articles but I see the newspaper as if I purchased it. One has a varied selection of newspapers to view and read. From our perspective after a few days of getting used to the system its a joy to use and great value around 21 euros per month.

athtrasna

The only paper I would consider paying for online access to is the New York Times (don't have to yet). Their website is phenomenal and easily searchable. None of the Irish Media outlets comes close. Had a look at that local paper site again today and the layout is no better than it was when it was free though they are now offering the option of reading a digital version of the actual printed paper. Registered for a free 7 day ie one edition trial but never got the link email.

IRE60

I honestly think that some newspapers and more specifically regional/local/weekly titles are in their own offices every day knitting their own nooses.