Newspaper Publishing

Don’t charge for online news content

Colin White, UK CEO of Oxygen8 Communications, explains why newspaper publishers must successfully commercialise their product offering without making readers pay for traditional news content.

As media consumption habits continue to change and news publishers place more emphasis on making traditional print-based news available via the Internet, it is essential that consumers continue to have free access to online editorial.

These are challenging times for the media industry but in this evolving digital world, there is actually a fantastic opportunity for newspaper groups to drive new revenue streams, grow their share of audience and increase reader loyalty. However, key to this opportunity is the ability to successfully commercialise their product offering without making readers pay for traditional news content.

Instead, by adopting a model that enables money to be generated through the availability of additional chargeable service and content – for example, location-based services, mobile application downloads, IPTV services and competitions to name a few – publishers can maximise their revenues without alienating their core readership.

Times may be tough, but there are some real opportunities for those publishers that are brave enough to make the staff and operational changes required to maximise the new media marketplace.

Find out how we can help your Newspaper Group today by contacting our Sales Team.