Suddenly this all makes more sense to me. I saw the NYT announcement and had a few days to ponder this -- enough time to decide that I wouldn't subscribe, but would just use one of the many loopholes. (I would be happy to pay something -- a few cents per message -- for the columnists and articles I actually read, but the subscription price feels too expensive for my style of access.)
And then I got an Email message from Lincoln (the car company). It seems that, courtesy of them, I can get full, free access to the NYT for the rest of 2011. So I signed up for that. Didn't have to buy a car, though I suppose I'll get some ad messages from them, which I can filter if it becomes a hassle.
I don't know if everyone got this offer, or if something about my online profile led Lincoln to think that I'm a good target for their direct advertising. I am signed up with an NYT account for commenting on some of their blogs and things -- maybe that's the source of my good fortune.
And suddenly the NYT model makes sense: Put up a paywall that is easy to get around, but a bit of a hassle. Spread some FUD about whether the various loopholes will be there forever. And then sell to a big advertiser (or several) the right to offer free total access for some fixed price to a selected slice of your readers.
So now they don't lose me as a reader, they get a new revenue stream from Lincoln and any other companies who might be part of this program, and I'm supposed to feel grateful to Lincoln for this special service -- which I do, but just a tiny bit. It's not a bad way for NYT to make a bit of extra cash, and they will also get some subscription income from the wealthy and/or clueless.
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And then I got an Email message from Lincoln (the car company). It seems that, courtesy of them, I can get full, free access to the NYT for the rest of 2011. So I signed up for that. Didn't have to buy a car, though I suppose I'll get some ad messages from them, which I can filter if it becomes a hassle.
I don't know if everyone got this offer, or if something about my online profile led Lincoln to think that I'm a good target for their direct advertising. I am signed up with an NYT account for commenting on some of their blogs and things -- maybe that's the source of my good fortune.
And suddenly the NYT model makes sense: Put up a paywall that is easy to get around, but a bit of a hassle. Spread some FUD about whether the various loopholes will be there forever. And then sell to a big advertiser (or several) the right to offer free total access for some fixed price to a selected slice of your readers.
So now they don't lose me as a reader, they get a new revenue stream from Lincoln and any other companies who might be part of this program, and I'm supposed to feel grateful to Lincoln for this special service -- which I do, but just a tiny bit. It's not a bad way for NYT to make a bit of extra cash, and they will also get some subscription income from the wealthy and/or clueless.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by sfahlman.
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