One concept that simply hasn’t caught on - but I wish would - is the idea of being able to pay per article rather than having an entire subscription. WSJ is an example of a newspaper I’ve subscribed to - but seldom read front to back. I also subscribe to both NYT and Washington Post. i never read any of these three newspapers cover to cover. I would love to be able to buy access to a single article or, perhaps, get a bundle that includes 10 articles/month (or whatever). Back in my Twitter days, I would often encounter a link to an article that was buried behind a paywall. (The Economist had tons of articles like this). I wanted the article - but not a subscription to another publication. I’d forego the article. If there were a mechanism to pay, say $1 for access to the article, I would have easily done it. There honestly is not a single writer whose work I read that I feel like I want an annual paid subscription to - I’d much prefer per-article access to most. Finally - I really fear most for local news outlets, such as the Indy Star. There is no way they will stay viable long-term in the current environment. And when local news coverage is gone, so is accountability on the part of government officials and any good way to get information on prospective legislation and politician behavior.
Yeah, I think the numbers just don’t work well on per-article pricing. News sites see a better path by offering discounted subscription prices (which often are cheaper than per-article pricing might be) and transitioning to the regular price. As for IndyStar, my colleagues and I are doing the best we can to create value for subscribers and I think we just had a pretty great year in 2024!
I enjoy reading your work and this piece describes me perfectly. I subscribe to so many sources that I find myself wanting to purge a few. Then I’ll read something that hooks me and I decide it’s worth continuing that subscription.
The subscription I find most disappointing and frustrating is the Indy Star. I’ve subscribed for over 45 years and want to support local journalism. I’d love if the Star posted all of the high school scores but they don’t.
Thanks! I can’t speak to high school scores, but I’d argue we offer a lot of things worth paying for at IndyStar. I appreciate you sticking with us!
Preach.
One concept that simply hasn’t caught on - but I wish would - is the idea of being able to pay per article rather than having an entire subscription. WSJ is an example of a newspaper I’ve subscribed to - but seldom read front to back. I also subscribe to both NYT and Washington Post. i never read any of these three newspapers cover to cover. I would love to be able to buy access to a single article or, perhaps, get a bundle that includes 10 articles/month (or whatever). Back in my Twitter days, I would often encounter a link to an article that was buried behind a paywall. (The Economist had tons of articles like this). I wanted the article - but not a subscription to another publication. I’d forego the article. If there were a mechanism to pay, say $1 for access to the article, I would have easily done it. There honestly is not a single writer whose work I read that I feel like I want an annual paid subscription to - I’d much prefer per-article access to most. Finally - I really fear most for local news outlets, such as the Indy Star. There is no way they will stay viable long-term in the current environment. And when local news coverage is gone, so is accountability on the part of government officials and any good way to get information on prospective legislation and politician behavior.
Yeah, I think the numbers just don’t work well on per-article pricing. News sites see a better path by offering discounted subscription prices (which often are cheaper than per-article pricing might be) and transitioning to the regular price. As for IndyStar, my colleagues and I are doing the best we can to create value for subscribers and I think we just had a pretty great year in 2024!
Missed opportunity to paywall this article
I can’t really charge people to read my hobby newsletter!
I enjoy reading your work and this piece describes me perfectly. I subscribe to so many sources that I find myself wanting to purge a few. Then I’ll read something that hooks me and I decide it’s worth continuing that subscription.
The subscription I find most disappointing and frustrating is the Indy Star. I’ve subscribed for over 45 years and want to support local journalism. I’d love if the Star posted all of the high school scores but they don’t.
Keep up your good work!
Thanks! I can’t speak to high school scores, but I’d argue we offer a lot of things worth paying for at IndyStar. I appreciate you sticking with us!