Back in August, we reported how HeraldScotland.com, run by Gannett’s Newsquest would introduce a metered charging system. Now it is about to begin…
Here is the pitch to readers from digital director Mark Smith:
“If you’re a regular visitor you’ll notice a few changes; more contributors, improved layout, a new politics section and subscription! But don’t panic you can still read up to 10 articles a month for free, we’re just asking those of you who particularly enjoy our content to pay the small sum of £2.99 ($4.67) for 4 weeks access, just 11 pence a day.
“We think that’s tremendous value, value that will only be enhanced as we add sections and features to the site, bringing you more and more quality journalism by Scots and for Scots. Our ambition is simple: to provide the best and most comprehensive digital experience for anyone interested in what’s happening in Scotland.”
Just like The Times did in 2010, HeraldScotland.com is holding an introductory price of £1 ($1.57) for the first month to snag readers.
But, unlike The Times, HeraldScotland.com’s model is another porous wall, or metre, the result of which is to allow in casual readers whilst asking money of regular users.
HeraldScotland.com is the product of the websites of The Herald and Sunday Herald being merged in 2009.
Unique browsers were an average 49,793 per month in the first half of the year, compared with 38,959 a year earlier (source: ABC).