The New York Times announced today that they will launch TimesSelect a new paid access model.
While most of the news, features and multi-media on NYTimes.com will remain free and available to users, the work of Op-Ed columnists and some of the best known voices from the news side of The Times and The International Herald Tribune (IHT) will be available only to TimesSelect subscribers beginning in September. Home-delivery subscribers will automatically receive TimesSelect as part of their benefits. TimesSelect will be priced at $49.95 for an annual subscription.
Staci Kramer over at PaidContent has more, including this thought:
the paper will take a hit when it comes to influence webwide
Visitor Comments
I have subscribed to the NY Times since 1966. For the past ten years I have paid $612.00 per year for my subscrption in Santa Cruz CA. Unfortunately the NY Times doesn't count me as a subscriber because they don't deliver here. I use a local delivery service. Now I am expected to pay $49.95 for the priviledge of seeing articles online. I often email articles I have just read to friends and family. I also occasionally am travelling and check the online edition while my own copy languishes in the driveway. I am indignant that they have no way of acknowledging subscribers who don't happen to live in their direct delivery area.
Bah Humbug,
J. Bowen
Santa Cruz California
Posted by: J. Bowen | September 19, 2005 10:17 PM