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What you're describing is just an online newspaper. There's a reason most newspapers can't survive this way: people aren't willing to pay a monthly subscription
by ativzzz 6y ago
What you're describing is just an online newspaper. There's a reason most newspapers can't survive this way: people aren't willing to pay a monthly subscription.
- rubicon33 6y agoMaybe, but: a) I'm describing a video service. Not text. I think that makes a huge difference. b) How do you explain Apple News? Personally I have no idea if they're profitable but they seem to be betting on news subscriptions being worth while.
- jimmygrapes 6y agoI believe that some attempts have been tried, at least in the general area of what you are proposing. Far as I can tell they have all been labeled conspiracy theorists, alt-right white supremacist fake news nazis, left wing radical SJW eco-fascists, or some other combination of epithets and denigration. And all it takes is for one of those labels to be plausible for a single article or contributor before some aspect. of the internet hive mind (incapable of forgiveness, nuance, or contextual interpretation) latches on and never lets go.
- alisonatwork 6y agoThis kind of exists in the US as Unicorn Riot. There are some other alt/indie news sites that operate the same way. They're far from unbiased sources in what they choose to cover, but I think that's a given when you're working with so little capital to begin with. Well-funded sites that can afford to send reporters out to cover "everything" will probably end up being biased in a different way, given the sorts of people who have enough money to fund a global outfit.
- irrational 6y agoWhat do you mean about Apple News? I have an iPhone and have looked at the news app (I think that is what you mean by Apple News). It seems to just be a conglomeration of various articles (some news, others not news). Most are "free" to view, some have a News+ icon that indicates that that article is only available if you have a subscription, however I've found that if I want to read one of those articles I can just go to Safari and search for it and read it for free over there. So... I really don't understand how Apple News could ever be profitable. Why would anyone ever pay for a subscription?
- Yizahi 6y agoNewspapers aren't making it easier for people. I'm considering subscribing to The Economist for several years now and I can afford it. But the horror stories about being unable to unsubscribe or a need to call someone by phone to do it (yeah, half across the globe, with several dollars per minute roaming rate) is always putting me off it.
- mschuster91 6y ago> But the horror stories about being unable to unsubscribe or a need to call someone by phone to do it (yeah, half across the globe, with several dollars per minute roaming rate) is always putting me off it. The answer to that is government regulation - it must be mandated that terminating a service must be at least as accessible and fast as the most accessible/fast way of signing up. Not just for newspapers, but also for other services - a particularly common target of complaints are fitness studios.
- manishsharan 6y agoEconomist subscription is very easy to unsubscribe .You signup for a year and you don't have to extend beyond one year. Economist does not automatically charge you for the next year. I did not renew my subscription due to my financial constraints and I did not have to speak to anyone to not renew.
- sofixa 6y agoI unsubscribed from the Economist, and apart from the occasional email with a special offer to resubscribe every ~year it was hassle-free.