Asbury Park Press to start charging for website next month
Embarks on broad initiative to become "platform perfect"
Calling it the beginning of a new chapter in the 133-year history of the Asbury Park Press, the paper’s publisher and editor yesterday announced changes to the publication that will take effect next month.
Those changes include new smartphone and iPad apps, as well as adding “new layers of content to the watchdog reporting that has served as the bedrock of our coverage”, according to a front page statement in Sunday’s Press by publisher Tom Donovan and editor Hollis R. Towns.
Also starting next month, the paper will charge nonsubscribers who visit the APP.com website after those users access a limited number of articles. The statement from Donovan and Towns did not state the charge for readers to use the website, or how many articles could be accessed before payment would be required.
From the Donovan-Towns statement:
“Beginning in May, nonsubscribers will have limited access to articles on APP.com before being asked to subscribe. Current and new subscribers will have enhanced and unlimited access to our content 24 hours a day on all platforms.
We believe this new business model allows The Press and APP.com to continue providing quality news and advertising for many years to come.
The new subscription model is just the beginning.
In recent months, we’ve conducted extensive market research interviewing hundreds of readers like you. You told us you want us to remain vigilant watchdogs by shining a light on fraud, corruption and government waste. But you also told us you wanted to know more about what’s being taught in our schools, how to find a good restaurant and what cool things are available to help you plan your weekend.”
Donovan and Towns also outlined a commitment for the Press to become “platform perfect” to maximize the Press’s reach to its readers on all electronic platforms and in print. The two said the changes will “give our advertisers a multi-platform approach to reaching a broader audience, and a suite of new digital marketing services to better connect with you, our readers.”
Click here for the full statement by Donovan and Towns.
