Two British news titles join the paywall party

Paywall momentum in the British news market is building, with the Daily Telegraph announcing that it is introducing a metered digital access model not unlike that long used by the Financial Times , and the new chief executive of News International Mike Darcey indicating that the Sun will join its sister titles behind a paywall later this year.

'Getting it for free'
Darcey told the resolutely paywall-free Guardian that the decision to charge for online content at the Sun came from "a deep-seated belief that it is just untenable to have 2.4 million people paying 40p for the Sun at the same time as a bunch of other people are getting it for free".

The Daily Telegraph , meanwhile, will allow people to read 20 articles a month on its site for free – any more than this, and they will be asked to choose between two subscription options.

The “Web Pack” offer gives unlimited online content plus smartphone app access for £1.99 per month or £20 a year, while the “Digital Pack” throws in access to tablet editions and a subscriber “privilege card” (discounts at spas and salons, free coffee at Debenhams cafes on weekday afternoons, that kind of thing) for the noticeably pricier monthly rate of £9.99 or £99 a year. A 30-day free trial is included in both.

The Telegraph 's move follows its introduction last year of a metered model for its international readers, including those in the Republic of Ireland.

Subscription model
In the US, the Pew Research Center has reported that 450 of the 1,380 US daily newspapers have either started or announced plans for some kind of paid subscription model.

The Washington Post was the most recent high-profile title in the US market to join in the paywall party, confirming last week that it will go the metered route from the summer.