That content isn't "free". It's a sample, given away at cost by the Times, intended to engage you just enough to become a paying customer. Remember that all th

That content isn't "free". It's a sample, given away at cost by the Times, intended to engage you just enough to become a paying customer. Remember that all this stuff costs money to make, so when it's "free" its purpose is still to make money, one way or another. The ad model is becoming unsustainable, people are catching on to the "we sell your personal information" approach, so businesses are now exploring the free + friction model in greater depth. I'm not sure what you expected with the creeping footer. As a free user you don't drive enough revenue for them to sustain their business, so they're forced to introduce friction into the user experience to convert you into a real customer.