Citing the need to increase revenue, the Globe will start charging $20 a
month for full access to the website, beginning Oct. 22. Online access
will be free for weekly print subscribers. Weekend subscribers will be
able to get the service for an additional $5 a month.
Globe publisher Philip Crawley said the growth in popularity of mobile devices has created a
sustainable market for online content. People now like to read their
paper at home in the morning and have access to it all day long on their
smartphones or tablets.
The Globe has tried charging for
online content online in the past. Several years ago it launched the
Globe Insider, putting premium content, including columns by
high-profile writers, behind a paywall. The effort was dropped because
it suppressed traffic to the website, said Crawley.
This time is different. Mobile devices have created a different consumer culture, Crawley said.
The storysays that The Star is also considering a oaywall.
Full story
The move does not site well with readers. Here are excerpts from some of the posts on The Star website:
--Memo to Toronto Star- charge & I'm
gone. No ifs, ands, or buts. Household does have 7day paper
subscription so I probably wouldn't even know if you did... I am the
only one who visits the website.
--If we had to pay the Star for anti ford news i would not pay and just read the alternative leftist rags available free every week
--most people throw out half of the
Saturday Star as soon as they get it --- so would you pay online for
half that you do not read? -
-- Let me get this straight... 50% of my monthly internet bill to access one website?
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