MEDIA

SA paper could charge for online content

04 March 2010 at 11h07

The Sunday Times, is warning readers that it is looking at charging for its online version, according to a report by ITWeb.

If it decides to take on the paid-for-content strategy, it will be the largest paper in the country to follow that route.

A note on its website states: "Note: In the future this page will only be viewable by Sunday Times subscribers."

Continues Below↓

Mike Robertson, MD of Avusa's Media division, says the company is at an early stage in its thinking, but is considering "putting the site behind a wall".

The move to paid-for content is a growing trend in SA, and internationally. In November, News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch said the company may charge for online content after raising concerns that people are getting free published online content, and then do not need to buy the publication, which eats into revenue.

Locally, the Witness has moved onto a subscription-based service for its online content. - ITWeb

SUBMIT YOUR COMMENT!

Showing page 1 of 3 comment pages, 23 total comments

22 Weeks ago Sue K wrote :

I live overseas, and how would I subscribe to a paper that could not be delivered? If I subscribed, I would not have to read the stupid paper online,duh!!

25 Weeks ago carls wrote :

But would both Sunday times online readers pay?

25 Weeks ago Pensioner wrote :

Stopped buying the Sunday Times Years ago and I don't use their site. So, for me its no loss.

26 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :

Sorry but the Sunday Times does not warrent the cost. I read it online yes, but for another perspective \. As wel all know one SA paper rarely has much national or international content. Example right now all the SA newspapers have glossed over the Zuma debarcle in the UK as being that presses fault. Now who wnat to read Local B.S. when the truth is out there.

26 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :

Why is print advertising still so much more profitable than electronic: are the number of paper users still so much higher in number? If so , wont more portable devices change the business to make online publishing minus the printing &distribution costs more economically viable? Interested but too lazy to search for info.. .

26 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :

Photographers and Journalists like to get paid as well. We have mortgages, damn expensive equipment and need to eat. Free content costs money to make, unless you all think your comments alone are news worthy. The internet is slowly wiping out the creative middle class and the current model is unsustainable. Place your nose to the coffee and inhale, deeply please.

26 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :

News contents of The Times sucks of later and would never in a million years subscribe to any online news.

26 Weeks ago soletu wrote :

does the print media want to commit suicide?? the new york times is living proof of what happens when you try and charge for online content, users leave and find the next best site. are they not innovative enough that they would rather alienate their user base than look for other revenue generating avenues? Sunday times is expensive anyway, and only 1/4 of their paper is useful anyway so they can go right ahead, we will not be attending that funeral. if independent newspapers also wants to go that route then they will suffer the consequences, the little profits, layoffs etc. you get international news from other agencies don't you, and those agencies publish their content for free on the net so whilst we might lose out a bit on the local stuff, we won't be losing out much internationally, so there.

26 Weeks ago Dolly wrote :

Money!!! Money !!! Money !!! Wonder who are the shareholders here...!! Makes me think..!!

26 Weeks ago Volric Rongar wrote :

Heh, there was an huge overseas newspaper that did just that, and lost about 90% of readers. Good luck.

BOOKMARK THIS STORY (What's This?)

Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser.

Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice.

Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking