Times for a change? A makeover for The Times websites- but will you be handing over your £2 each week?
This week saw the launch of the new-look Times and Sunday Times websites. This marks the first time that the newspaper brands have had separate sites.
They will be accessible for registered users for an introductory four-week period before the paywall comes into effect. Access to the digital service will be included in the seven-day subscriptions of print customers, however, in a month’s time will cost non-subscribers £1 a day or £2 per week.
Search engines will not be able to display articles as the sites will only display their respective homepages to search engines.
News International has not disclosed specific subscriber targets, though it is undoubtedly prepared for a major drop in user numbers of its websites.
Those that choose to enjoy the new-improved sites can make their payment by direct debit and the £2-a-week charge will auto-renew, which is not the case for the daily charge.
I think they’ve done a great job and that the sign looks great- but is it great enough for £104 a year?
May 28th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Gut feeling – may well work in the long term given the established core Times audience and their apparent readiness to pay for quality content. However, Digital Natives (those that have grown up in the Digital era) take free of charge, quality content for granted and therefore would not accept paywalls and are savvy enough to find alternative sources if their favourite sites start to charge.
June 2nd, 2010 at 4:25 pm
No ill be getting my news in free locations such as the Guardian or http://www.reddit.com