The news that the New York Times plans to start making heavy online readers pay for access -- here's the link -- is just one more indication of how the web's future may play out.
Our own publisher, Michael Schroeder, has frequently said he plans to start charging for access to our newspaper's website. You can be sure the day will come when it happens.
It's an odd thing, really, that more people than ever read stories that reporters write, thanks to all those online readers, but the revenue has not only failed to keep pace, it's declined.
We're actually providing more news to more people than ever. But we have to find ways to bring in the money to pay for reporters, editors, photographers and the array of wonderful people who actually bring in the cash by selling ads and such.
Perhaps the Times is on the right path.
Lord knows we have to do something differently.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
10 comments:
Lord knows we have to do something differently.
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Try publishing the truth like was done in the old days when the media was respected .
I understand that the reporters don't have any control over what gets published , so I am not blaming them , but , the publishers/editors will NOT increase revenue without dramatic changes to their agenda .
Merely my humble opinion .
I would pay to get a Steve Collins story :)
Has anyone seen any numbers from the JI in Manchester since they started charging for their website.
First of all, I would gladly pay for content that I thought was worth the expense, for instance archival stories about a topic that I was interested in or one that I was researching.
I would also pay an annual fee to subscribe to a blog that I thought contained useful, thoughtful or helpful information from contributors who shared my interest or concern. The problem with open forums and anonymous bloggers is that they become places solely to attack and complain.
I would not pay for NY Times opinions or feature articles from the NY Times because their editorial and news content is so slanted and biased that it has no informational value.
I think the commercialization of the Internet will happen but it will survive or fail on a case by case basis. Good content will sell, rag-puke will repel.
Steve:
Why are they trashing your blog and your bloggers on: www.extrabigscoop.blogspot.com
Just Curious
"Steve Collins", how come you don't use your real legal name..."Thomas Majerus-Collins"?
My prediction is the Bristol Press will collapse if they start charging for Website access. Not to be mean, but your current Website is lacking much luster and is full of typos and other careless oversights. Half the "breaking news" is 1-2 days old. It doesn't look professional or informative and I would not pay for access to it. Maybe you folks should do like Domino's Pizza did and seek criticism from your customers in order to make improvements and give US whatwe want. We know you guys want and need money but you aren't going to get it if you don't give us what we expect and want....which is a quality,accurate,unbiased, professional, informative and timely product. :-)
I would agree to pay if I wasn't a daily subscriber....my wife likes to read the paper version of the Press while I like to view online. Doesnt' seem fair for me to pay twice...
9:17 -- My legal name is, indeed, Thomas Stephen Majerus-Collins. But I've always written as Steve Collins from my earliest days so that's how it remains.
Steve, I thought the headline was referring to our next tax bil(s)!
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