The New York Observer’s John Koblin has a new report that should be sending chills down the spines of management at The New York Times and other websites planning to charge readers for their content. In October, Newsday made its content viewable only to paying subscribers. Koblin writes:
So, three months later, how many people have signed up to pay $5 a week, or $260 a year, to get unfettered access to newsday.com?
The answer: 35 people. As in fewer than three dozen. As in a decent-sized elementary-school class.
The New York Times will undoubtedly get a better reception, but stories like this cannot inspire confidence in media stalwarts seeking to become profitable online.
Full story: After Three Months, Only 35 Subscriptions for Newsday’s Web Site | The New York Observer