Why paywalls aren’t helping most papers as much as The New York Times

Nieman Journalism Lab
Ken Doctor writes that The New York Times’ strategy of pricing digital-only access higher than the print-digital package is working, as the company will announce a Sunday circulation gain. “What’s been dismaying this week, as I talk with many publishers at the dozens of other dailies now charging for digital access, is that it’s hard to find the Times model moving similar Sunday-plus trends elsewhere.” Doctor suggests several reasons that other newspapers aren’t faring as well as the Times. One of them: “A local newspaper is not The New York Times.” Others: The 20-story free limit is too high and other papers don’t charge for smartphone access (the Times does), both of which are disincentives to subscribe. The whole post is worth a read for those tracking the success the emerging digital subscription model. || Related: Citigroup analyst concludes that Times paywall won’t collect enough to offset decline in advertising, downgrades stock.