Fingal Indo now charging for "Enhanced Premium Content" on Web

The Hill Billy

I noticed today that the Fingal Indo now want to charge 50¢ to read "Premium articles" on their website. Details here.

A letter from the Group Editor starts:
"Dear Reader, The Fingal Independent is about to change its website, offering you the chance to access enhanced premium content."

"Enhanced premium content" would appear to be actually "content" (ie, the same article that appeared in the print edition). The only "enhanced" or "premium" aspects being the ridiculous price that the Fingal Indo are now looking for to read it possibly up to a week after the print edition goes on sale.
(Quote from FAQ: "Premium newspaper content will be published online after the print edition goes on sale in shops. Sometimes it can take up to a week for all premium newspaper content to be online.") So what is "enhanced" or "premium" about that & why should I pay for it?

I used to use the web edition during the week & then buy the printed copy at the weekend. For this reader - I shan't bother using the web edition any more. I'd imagine that web traffic will drop now & that may have an impact on site advertising revenues.

What a pity.

(Beasty - Can you please Mod this thread so that there is a level of impartiality to it? Thanks, HB)

Paulw

They've been doing it for 3 weeks now. I think most of the Independent paper group are doing it now (aside from independent.ie, thankfully).

Shame really. I certainly won't be paying to view the contents.

Eoineo

Me either.

Their website coverage of the paper was poor at best in the first place.

It's my weekly treat to bring a Wednesday copy home and have a good browse. I'd rather buy a paper copy in my local shop and support the local retailer if I am to buy one.

Frank Spencer

Yeah what's that all about? First they leave Swords and now this.

dubmick

Frank Spencer wrote: »

First they leave Swords and now this.

where are they based now?

Alan Farrell

dubmick wrote: »

where are they based now?

The Fingal is owned by the Drogheda Independent which is part of the INM group. They moved up their other office to save money.

The Hill Billy

They still have their address listed on the website as Main Street, Swords.

See here.

Frank Spencer

Alan Farrell wrote: »

The Fingal is owned by the Drogheda Independent which is part of the INM group. They moved up their other office to save money.

And made staff redundant.

Alan Farrell

Frank Spencer wrote: »

And made staff redundant.

That doesn't surprise me at all.