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Google Pay-for-News Scheme Ignores Reality

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 8, 2009 1:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – Google CEO Eric Schmidt's proposed model for online newspapers calls for a cable TV-like approach to subscription content, with tiers like free, basic, and premium. His ideas not only come too late, but they're “deeply flawed,” Douglas A. McIntyre writes for 24/7 Wall Street. And "even if they were valuable, they come too late in the cycle of destruction that marks the end of the financial viability of newspapers."

But even if a system were up and running—a difficult process both technologically and editorially—McIntyre sees another obstacle: Most content "is available somewhere else,” free. Sure, the New York Times is a good paper, but everything in it is done as well or better elsewhere. “Americans are used to free news now," McIntyre concludes." Reversing that will be nearly impossible.”

Google logos are shown inside Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. (AP Photo)

Google CEO Eric Schmidt. (AP Photo)

Google CEO Eric Schmidt delivers the keynote address at the Newspaper Association of America annual convention. (AP Photo)

Newspaper boxes hold papers for sale in Seattle. (AP Photo)

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Print Times Not Quite Dead, But Hope Lies in Its Ashes

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Most won't have to pay, paper says

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Revolutionary model slated for completion within a year

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Google • New York Times • advertising • cable TV • subscription • online newspapers • newspaper industry • free news

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Print Times Not Quite Dead, But Hope Lies in Its Ashes

Journalism faces a challenge, but hardly a disaster

New York Times Asks Twitter to Plug Paywall Loophole

Paper aims to firm up pay barrier before launch

NY Times Paywall Details Leak

Most won't have to pay, paper says

Google: We Have 'Moral' Duty to Help Journalism

We're not a newspaper killer, says CEO

Online Newspaper Payment Plan in the Works—at Google

Revolutionary model slated for completion within a year

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?