The New York Times, one of the iPad’s most vociferous and earliest proponents, now seems split on how much to charge for a version of the ‘newspaper of record’ for the tablet. The newspaper is split on pricing, with the print side and digital side at odds. The publication is considering charging iPad owners between $10 and $30 to read its paper, claims a report.
Citing an unnamed source, Gawker writes the print side wants to charge $20 to $30 per month for an iPad version of the daily newspaper. The argument is that the iPad would cut into subscriptions of the print edition, thus requiring the higher price tag. Currently, the newspaper offers much of its print content online for free, although that may end next year. New York Times Media Group president Scott Heekin-Canedy reportedly sides with the print division.
However, the digital side of the Times is “up in arms over print circulation’s pricing,” according to the report. Proponents of a digital New York Times see $10 per month as a better pricing arrangement.
“The internal fight might also determine how relevant — and profitable — the nation’s most prominent newspaper can remain in the digital future,” Gawker‘s Ryan Tate wrote, explaining why there is such debate over pricing for an iPad edition.
Earlier this month, Apple CEO Steve Jobs met with 50 New York Times executives in hope of winning them over to the iPad. The executives left unconvinced, reports said.
The dispute within the New York Times seems to mirror the debate other newspaper and magazine publishers are having with Apple. As we reported Tuesday, several publishers are objecting to Apple demands of keeping a portion of iPad subscription revenues “forever” and not sharing iPad subscriber information as a potential “deal-breaker.”
[Via 9to5Mac and AppleInsider]
