U.S.: Publishers Discuss Prices for iPad Content
Discussions about content marketing on the iPad are gaining momentum. Publishers are still divided on how much they can charge for their content on the new Apple device in the future.
It was already clear that the tablet held great promise for paid content even before the iPad had been officially unveiled. Now, according to a press release, the New York Times, among others, is debating how much to charge for content on the iPad. Some newspaper representatives believe that digital versions should cost about the same as the print edition delivered daily to readers’ homes, based on a monthly subscription. The fear is that if this isn’t the case, readers might cancel their print subscriptions.
E-book prices are often about the same as those charged for printed paperback editions. Although Amazon does not charge more than $9.99, it recently got into a dispute with Macmillan because the publisher wanted to impose higher prices. Macmillan’s proposed prices range from $12.99 to $14.99.
Those at The New York Times who believe in a digital future feel that a high introductory price for the iPad edition would reduce the chances of an expanded version—especially since a free digital version already exists online. Furthermore, the iPad eliminates the delivery costs associated with the print edition.
The issue is now set to be discussed by two groups at the U.S. newspaper. One side would like to charge between $20 and $30 for a monthly subscription on the iPad, while the digital advocates want to charge only $10. By comparison, the New York Times’ monthly Kindle subscription currently costs $27.99. A print subscription costs $45.
E-book prices are often about the same as those charged for printed paperback editions. Although Amazon does not charge more than $9.99, it recently got into a dispute with Macmillan because the publisher wanted to impose higher prices. Macmillan’s proposed prices range from $12.99 to $14.99.
Those at The New York Times who believe in a digital future feel that a high introductory price for the iPad edition would reduce the chances of an expanded version—especially since a free digital version already exists online. Furthermore, the iPad eliminates the delivery costs associated with the print edition.
The issue is now set to be discussed by two groups at the U.S. newspaper. One side would like to charge between $20 and $30 for a monthly subscription on the iPad, while the digital advocates want to charge only $10. By comparison, the New York Times’ monthly Kindle subscription currently costs $27.99. A print subscription costs $45.
