Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Angry Dad Shoots Daughter's Laptop ... after she criticized her parents on Facebook »

One-Stop Web Portal Thinks It Can Save Newspapers

Group thinks consumers will be willing to pay for one-stop web portal

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 15, 2009 4:26 PM CDT

(Newser) – A web portal planned by some top media execs may be the way forward for beleagured newspapers. Journalism Online would act as a “one-stop shop” for pay content, writes Nate Anderson for Ars Technica. Consumers could buy subscriptions to many newspapers at low prices, and with a sliding scale of cost and access—on the thinking that readers will be more inclined to pay once than maintain several subscriptions.

Steven Brill, the venture’s founder, refers those who say the subscription model is dead to the success of the Wall Street Journal (online) and the Economist (offline). With revenue streams other than advertising to rely on, Brill thinks newspapers will start to enjoy the chief benefit of the internet: vastly lower distribution costs.

In this Wednesday, July 12, 2006 file photo, the Minneapolis skyline rises in the background of a Star Tribune newspaper vending machine.
In this Wednesday, July 12, 2006 file photo, the Minneapolis skyline rises in the background of a Star Tribune newspaper vending machine.   (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
A Chicago Tribune newspaper box is surrounded by snow on a sidewalk in downtown Chicago.
A Chicago Tribune newspaper box is surrounded by snow on a sidewalk in downtown Chicago.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Timinator2K
Apr 16, 2009 12:58 PM CDT
Why don't ALL media get together and collude to force everybody, everywhere, to pay for their news, sports and weather? Oh yeah, that's right, it wouldn't work. Sorry, newsies back to sleeping with the other dinosaurs.

More Newser Stories

Stop the Presses! Story Mentions Conan, Leno, Lady Gaga!

Portland Paper Knew of Gore Sex Assault Claim in 2007

Times Prepares to Charge for Online Access

Cold Weather Means Hot Demand for Soup, Boots

Chicago Paper's 'Profit' Model? Reader Donations


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne