NY Times begins charging online readers

The New York Times began charging online readers for full access to its website and dangled a heavily discounted introductory offer intended to lure its first digital subscribers.

The Times is offering its three digital subscription plans for the same price of $0.99 for the first four weeks.

After that, unlimited access to NYTimes.com and the newspaper’s smartphone application will cost $15 for four weeks while full access to the website and a tablet computer application will cost $20 for four weeks.

Full access to NYTimes.com and both smartphone and tablet applications will be $35 for four weeks.

Times publisher Arthur Sulz-berger, in a letter to readers, said the introduction of digital subscriptions is an “investment in our future”.

“It will allow us to develop new sources of revenue to strengthen our ability to continue our journalistic mission as well as undertake digital innovations that will enable us to provide you with high-quality journalism on whatever device you choose,” Mr Sulzberger said.

Speaking last week at The Paley Centre for Media in New York, the Times publisher said he is well aware that people will manage to find ways around paying for the newspaper online.

Like other US newspapers, the Times has been struggling with declining print advertising revenue, falling circulation and the migration of readers to free news online.

Media analysts and publishers are divided over whether a paid strategy can work and the experience at the Times is expected to be closely watched by other newspapers looking to boost online revenue.