News International’s decision to charge for online content has sparked a debate in the media industry. Supporters argue that it’s a necessary step to maintain quality journalism, while critics claim it will only alienate readers and advertisers. Some suggest a ‘freemium’ model, offering basic content for free while charging for premium content, could be a more successful strategy.
The Financial Times (FT) has adopted a similar model, allowing users to view a limited number of articles for free before requiring a subscription. This approach has seen the FT’s digital revenues increase by 30% in 2009. However, critics argue that this model may not work for all publications, as the FT’s specialist financial content has a specific audience willing to pay for it.
Meanwhile, Google has unveiled a new service called ‘First Click Free’, which allows users to access articles for free if they come from a Google search, but charges them if they browse further. Some publishers are sceptical about this, fearing it could undermine their own subscription models. Despite the ongoing debate, it’s clear that finding a sustainable model for online journalism is a pressing issue for the media industry.
Go to source article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/greenslade/2009/nov/16/charging-for-content-digital-media