From Yahoo/Agence France Presse:
Newspapers rethink paywalls as digital efforts sputter
Paywalls were supposed to help rescue newspapers from the crisis of sinking print circulation as readers shifted to getting their news online.
But with a few exceptions, they have failed to deliver much relief, prompting some news organizations to rethink their digital strategies.
Newspapers in the English-speaking world ended paywalls some 69 times through May 2015, including 41 temporary and 28 permanent drops, according to a study by University of Southern California researchers.
Paywalls "generate only a small fraction of industry revenue," with estimates ranging from one percent in the United States to 10 percent internationally, the study in July's International Journal of Communication said.
Old school media meets the 20th century. Adapt or die. Advertise but make it unobtrusive. We will read advertising but not too much. Do not get greedy.
Besides, if your paywall is to obtrusive, we will either hack around it or we will ignore you.
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