It appears as though the Times might be getting ready to start charging online readers.
The Times has considered three types of pay strategies. One option was a more traditional pay wall along the lines of The Wall Street Journal, in which some parts of the site are free and some subscription-only. … Another option was the metered system. The third choice, an NPR-style membership model, was abandoned last fall, two sources explained.
As a long-time subscriber, and recent iPhone reader, I say it’s about time! I’m glad to see that they’ve considered more than just two options (pay/no pay), yet I’m surprised they didn’t see yet another–pay for more than the first paragraph. Many online readers are looking for a quick fix of news on the go, and writing in the inverted pyramid should already accommodate for this. I’ve said before that sites like Newser could point the way, but the execs haven’t quite grasped that the technology might allow them to intricately tailor what their readers see/pay for. As former deputy managing editor Jon Landman said:
The idea of two camps is just wrong. There’s many shades to this.
via New York Times Ready to Charge Online Readers — Daily Intel (New York Magazine),
via Slashdot News Story | NY Times To Charge For Online Content