New York Times Co’s risky attempt to charge fees to website readers looks to be paying off, although it still faces stiff challenges in turning around a fall-off in print advertising revenue at its core business.The company gained more than 100,000 new subscribers since it introduced its digital subscription service on March 28, representing at least an estimated $26 million (£15 million) in annual revenue and trouncing early expectations for the service.
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/21/oukin-uk-newyorktimes-idUKTRE73K4VA20110421Also see:NYT Gets 100,000 Paid Digital Subscriptions in First Three Weeks of Paywall
Here’s an encouraging sign for the New York Times: Within three weeks of its paywall being in place, the paper had more than 100,000 paid digital subscribers in place – More than a third of the way towards its own target of 300,000 subscribers within the first year of the service.That number comes from reporting on the company’s first quarter earnings results, although the guidance adds that “[s]o soon after the launch, the Company does not yet have visibility into conversion and retention rates for these paying customers after the initial promotional period.” The number does not include print subscribers who use free digital access to the paper, nor those taking advantage of a promotion by Lincoln to receive access through the end of 2011. It does, however, include people taking advantage of a four-week trial subscription for 99 cents.
http://techland.time.com/2011/04/21/nyt-gets-100000-paid-digital-subscriptions-in-first-three-weeks-of-paywall/
New York Times gains online subscribers, but woes linger
New York Times Co’s risky attempt to charge fees to website readers looks to be paying off, although it still faces stiff challenges in turning around a fall-off in print advertising revenue at its core business.