Adriaan Basson | A new era for news as News24 prepares to launch digital subscriptions

[bwana]

The cat is finally out of the bag - News24 is launching a digital subscription service next month.

Like many of our peers internationally, we will be introducing a freemium paywall, which means most of our breaking news will remain free-to-read, but premium content will only be available to paying subscribers.

This is a landmark moment for all of us at News24; something we've been dying to tell you about since we started this journey to build a sustainable model for quality journalism almost two years ago.

Over the next few weeks, as we move closer to our official launch, we will tell you more about our subscription service and why we believe there has never been a more important time to invest in quality journalism than now.
...
The model we have opted for is called freemium - a mixture of free and premium journalism in one hub. We understand that not all of you are in a position to take out a subscription; we will continue to publish breaking news in the public interest for free.

We will tell you more about what you can expect from News24's subscription offering in the coming days and weeks.

More: https://www.news24.com/news24/colum...ares-to-launch-digital-subscriptions-20200712

 

[rietrot]

I don't think they have the journalist capable of writing something that's worth paying for.

However their breaking news is mostly still better than some other sites.

I think Subscription or clickbait/advertising are mutually exclusive. I don't think both can be done at the same time. Will be interesting to see.

 

[Polymathic]

Yeah, no.
Just move this company into MultiChoice

 

[Sinbad]

Does this mean they'll be able to afford competent editors?

 

[Bismuth]

When I visit a site, specifically a news site, and it wants me to pay to read the article, that is the last time I visit that site.

 

[Vrotappel]

Hopefully they will move all their SJW BS opinion articles behind a paywall.

 

[bin3]

Sweet, another site to avoid

 

[SauRoNZA]

I thought they’ve had this for ages already?

I often get linked to paywalled content from them.

 

[bwana]

When I visit a site, specifically a news site, and it wants me to pay to read the article, that is the last time I visit that site.

What are you going to do when all the local news sites move to this model? International sites won't have a fraction of the local content.

 

[Tman*]

FakeNews24

 

[rietrot]

What are you going to do when all the local sites move to this model? International sites won't have a fraction of the local content.

Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and just read the headlines.

If there's a demand a new site would pop up.

Many of the small local newspapers are already better than the big sites for real news.
Not all of them are going to switch.

 

[bwana]

Follow them on Twitter and Facebook and just read the headlines.

If there's a demand a new site would pop up.

Many of the small local newspapers are already better than the big sites for real news.
Not all of them are going to switch.

Demand? If there was demand ad supported would be enough.

Small local newspapers are suffering worse than anyone so I wouldn't count on free content from them.

I get it though. Some things just aren't worth paying for.

 

[koeks525]

Would not pay a dime for fake news from our news firms in this country.

 

[rietrot]

Demand? If there was demand ad supported would be enough.

Small local newspapers are suffering worse than anyone so I wouldn't count on free content from them.

I get it though. Some things just aren't worth paying for.

There was an article on here the other day showing how many clicks they get it's in the millions. There's definitely a demand I haven't seen anything to suggest their traffic is decreasing.

The only question is how to turn that into profit.

 

[surface]

When I visit a site, specifically a news site, and it wants me to pay to read the article, that is the last time I visit that site.

↓ ↓ ↓

most of our breaking news will remain free-to-read

I think I will rely on my myBB patrons for premium news; after all, they have a duty towards me as they pay my taxes.

 

[SeRpEnT]

Not paying to read their kuk.

 

[access]

freemium. make it all free and charge to customise or provide premium services..

 

[yebocan]

Trying to replicate the success of their Netwerk offering. Personally, some good columnists..but, the general journalism, needs to be fortified.

 

[krycor]

What are you going to do when all the local news sites move to this model? International sites won't have a fraction of the local content.

So here's the thing.. globally has this worked anywhere ?

I'd say by in large no... what generally happens is it annoys a % of the reader base, some put up with some restrictions and the paying users eventually have to fork out more as income isn't whats expected.

So yah.. will be interesting to watch the site visits and see what happens. News in general has a problem including video.. i watch news clips from many sources but pay none of them directly. Already I'd say a majority of news content is watched than read.. so.. not good.

 

[krycor]

There was an article on here the other day showing how many clicks they get it's in the millions. There's definitely a demand I haven't seen anything to suggest their traffic is decreasing.

The only question is how to turn that into profit.

Facebook like problem.. would u pay directly for Facebook? I don't know many that would have.. and so you end up with an airline scenario where in a small fraction need to pay and pay a significant amount for the services to subsidize (cheaper airfare to make it all worth it) freeloaders.. i think its a loss in an isolated business.