The BBC reports..that daily access for individual users will cost ?1 and weekly access ?2…..
Times and Sunday Times newspaper websites unveiled
Full story http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8702575.stm
The decision to charge is seen as a high risk strategy by some
The Times and Sunday Times newspapers have launched redesigned websites, in preparation for introducing charges for access next month.
The sites will replace the existing combined site, Times Online.
Users will pay ?1 for a day’s access and ?2 for a week’s subscription from June in a move likely to be watched closely by the industry.
Times Editor James Harding said it was time to stop “giving away” journalism in the two newspapers.
Mr Harding said those at the News International (NI) papers were “clearly aware” that they were taking a big step.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Our feeling is that it is time to stop giving away our journalism. That’s because we feel that we are undermining the value of our journalism, undermining the value of the Times and undermining the perception that journalism and news has a value.”
The Times editor admitted that the move was a risk, since many readers were likely to be lost.
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With regard to corporate subs a librarian has posted the following to? UK law lis
I find it hard to believe that they haven?t thought this through in advance, but they have clearly been getting a lot of requests and have been forced to do something about it.
It doesn?t seem set in stone and I would advise that you are very clear with them as to what you want to do with articles regarding distribution etc. They seem to want to stick to the terms and conditions for their individual licences.
Another posts after her enquiry…..
Dear Ms *****,
Thank you for your email regarding our exciting new online service from the The Times and The Sunday Times.
Pre-registration for our new service does not commit you to any financial agreement.
However, The Times and The Sunday Times will start charging for access to their digital journalism in June using a pricing model that is simple and affordable.
From June, the new sites,
www.thetimes.co.uk and www.thesundaytimes.co.uk, will be available for a charge of ?1 for a day’s access or ?2 for a week’s subscription. Payment will give customers access to both sites. The weekly subscription will also give access to the e-paper and certain new applications.
We will only be accepting payment by credit card or Direct Debit either weekly or monthly (Direct Debit is monthly only). There are currently no plans for an annual subscriptions.
Access to the digital services will be included in the seven-day subscriptions of print customers to The Times and The Sunday Times.
Kind regards
Wayne
Times Online Customer Services
