New York Times to Charge Online Readers by Barbora Misakova

Do you remember those days, when browsing through the big pages of newspapers during traveling on the bus was making you feel so awkward? Do you remember the feeling that someone standing above you is reading your newspapers? And what about constant threat of being attacked by heavy and thick newspapers while the reader is trying to turn over a new leaf? For many of you it is a history. These days you are sitting in your offices and just simply clicking on the web and browsing. To find particular information is not such a big deal and what’s more you can be drinking your morning coffee without being disturbed. Today, everything is on the web. Moreover it is for free! ! Actually, it WAS. One of the most popular American newspapers – The New York Times decided to start charging for news on their website. As print subscriptions and advertising sales fall, starting with charges seems to be a way how to survive. For loyal fans who get the paper delivered at home in old printed version there would be a privilege: free access to the website. Of course, thorny question is what about the online readers. Will they pay for Web news or will they start buying printed newspapers? There is also another, but not so profitable alternative: they lose an interest completely. Decreasing number of website’s visitors will mean lower attraction for advertisers. Today, the New York Times site has around 20 million unique visitors a month. Imagine that at least half of them already saw your advertisement. It must be a good feeling, or not? But if there are no online visitors it means that any advertisements will be seen and that means no profit for ad! vertisers. But that is just one of many problems connected wit! h this c ase. Let’s see what happen.

related story (sgx16197): http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100120/tc_nm/us_newyorktimes;_y...

by Barbora Misakova for SigEx Ventures (http://sigexventures.com)

SigEx Ventures's matrix of properties are quickly becoming leaders in digital telebroadcasting, free content delivery allowing people to easily talk, view, upload and share through free online TV broadcasting, free unlimited global calls, video blogs and SMS. SigEx Ventures invests in projects de! ploying "free" to add-on royalty revenue models