Newspapers Too Smart for Themselves?
The eminent demise of the printed version of newspaper has been
predicted for quite a while. The assumption is that consumers desire
for free online news is such that those not offering it at no cost will
lose readers. The main issue with offering it free online is people
will slowly stop buying and subscribing to the printed version. As
this occurs, newspapers will struggle with ways to maintain circulation and
the almighty ad dollars.
A newspaper in Rhode Island is actually charging more, much more, for the online version. Wait, I thought the online version was far cheaper to produce and publish than the printed version so why should it cost MORE? Apparently those in charge a the Newport Daily News think that by pricing the online version at 137% more than the printed version will price people out of the online version and steer them to the printed version. I think this will only lead to fewer readers of both the printed and online editions. A little like cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Your thoughts?
A newspaper in Rhode Island is actually charging more, much more, for the online version. Wait, I thought the online version was far cheaper to produce and publish than the printed version so why should it cost MORE? Apparently those in charge a the Newport Daily News think that by pricing the online version at 137% more than the printed version will price people out of the online version and steer them to the printed version. I think this will only lead to fewer readers of both the printed and online editions. A little like cutting your nose off to spite your face.
Your thoughts?
Posted by Scott McLaughlin at 6/8/2009 4:06 PM 
Categories: Media, branding, marketing
Tags: strategic reinvention newspaper branding
Categories: Media, branding, marketing
Tags: strategic reinvention newspaper branding
Charging for the online version is not a good idea. People will just go get their news from somewhere else. There are TV stations around that offer the same news for free online. They need to create apps for the iPad and the Kindle where people can get the paper. If they want to survive, that will be the way they should go.
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