2 ms·

The problem with paid content is that you only know whether it's worthy for you in hindsight. On top of that you have to compete with gratis (and often surprisi

by muyuu 15y ago

The problem with paid content is that you only know whether it's worthy for you in hindsight. On top of that you have to compete with gratis (and often surprisingly good quality). You have all the problems of an asymmetrical information market and you also have to break a cultural gap. Honestly, I don't subscribe to magazines anymore. I just can't get consistently satisfied with any single source. The only subscription I pay is the broadband contract itself. I don't consistently watch TV or follow any sports for me to consider paying. I know there is a market for that, but it's a really difficult one.

ChuckMcM 15y ago
In my opinion the quality problem (knowing apriori) is endemic to any market. Unknown entities will be hard pressed to convince but that is true of most things. What will be interesting though (and this is starting) the good 'free' quality stuff starts becoming harder to find for free as those folks develop appreciative audiences. I still subscribe to several magazines, but by far my favorite in terms of understanding this new reality is The Economist. If you subscribe you get your content digitally for no additional cost. Presentation is good and not overwhelming with ads (of course the magazine isn't either so perhaps its more cultural to the publisher as well). One magazine I subscribe to but don't pay for as an 'app' is Popular Mechanics. Their presentation is less useful in digital form than their printed form sadly.