It’s being reported that news agency Associated Press (AP) is building a news application for the forthcoming Apple iPad – and that the app will include “a paid subscription model”. The app will be overseen by the new AP Gateway business unit which will concentrate on monetising AP content.
Personally I agree that there is a place for paid content on the mobile web. However I’m deeply unconvinced by the subscription model. This will work for professionals who just charge it to their employer, however I can’t see it being popular with the general public. Personally I’d prefer to see a standardised micropayments model where I can view a chosen article, video report, weather forecast etc from any provider for a few cents a time.
The subscription model is an echo of the “old media” world where content providers controlled the limited number of distribution channels. The new media world is much more open and very few brands have the consumer loyalty to justify an “all you can eat” subscription with the general public.
Whether or not AP is one of those brands we’ll have to wait and see.
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