The Wall Street Journal, which I would pay for, reports that Hearst newspapers, in a last ditch attempt to save itself, is considering making customers pay for some online content. The $64,000 Question is what value-add do you believe newspapers actually provide these days that would justify some cost to access online?
Which begs the question: “For what content of the Contra Costa Time would you be willing to pay?”
[poll id="47"]
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
To the Editor:
I would definitely pay for online news if the online news delivered quality reporting.
Currenly, the Contra Costa Times provides very limited coverage of news in Concord. It’s been months since I have seen news — in the Contra Costa Times or the Concord Transcript — about city council decisions, garbage pick-up rates, the city budget, transportation issues, taxes, education, and the business climate.
The Contra Costa Times and the weekly insert, The Lamorinda Sun, also provide little coverage of local matters. I live in Orinda. All kinds of things going on in Oridna are never mentioned in the CC Times or the Sun.
Each day, I read three newspapers: The Contra Costa Times; The New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal. I have paid subscriptions to all three newspapers.
With my subscription to The New York Times, I do get access to the Times online service. I find the online edition easy to use and very helpful.
I had to pay extra for the online version of The Wall Street Journal. The subscription price for the physical newspaper does not include online service. The Journal’s Web site is not that easy to operate, and I cannot send articles to myself.
Regarding the Contra Costa Times, I found that the Web site so was difficult to use that I abondoned it.
I pay money for books, movies, cable telelvision, and other media. Paying for online news is not a problem as long as I am a satisfied customer.
Consider the economics. Suppose an online story cost $10,000. If one million people read the story, the cost per reader would be one cent.
Richard Colman
Orinda, CA
March 4, 2009
~ EDITOR ADDS — Richard, you should check with WSJ. I got daily delivery AND online access for $99 per year.
The Times turns my head to mush. I get all the news I want for free using my RSS reader.
I can’t think of any particular section or “personality” that would be worth even $24.95 a year.
I like the Events Calendar at this site. It serves a genuine community service as it serves community groups that would otherwise never get the time of day from the Times.
i only hunt for the Sudoku. oh, and Nilda Rego. Other than that, the CC Times is not worth the splinters it leaves in my rectum post defecation