Green Living Tips 03.29.10
Are iPad Versions of Magazines and Newspapers
Priced Too Expensive, or Right on Target?
 Magazines and newspapers have been in their death throes for years now, and it seems like the iPad is not only the final stake in their heart, but also the very thing giving them the launch they need to rise from the dead in a new digital body. However, the pricing of the new format of favorite magazines and newspapers could leave some readers gawking. If things are going digital, shouldn't they cost pennies on the dollar for what they're priced at in hard copy form? Isn't that the very incentive for readers to switch to the (potentially) greener option of reading their news on an e-reader instead of paper? Maybe...but maybe not.
Gizmodo writes, "Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has reported on itself by saying that "according to a person familiar with the matter," their monthly iPad subscription will cost $17.99 a month. While that may seem high, it is at least ten bucks cheaper than a monthly subscription to the dead trees version, so WSJ readers will see it as a bargain - Too bad they're a dying breed."
It may very well be cheaper than the paper version, but for people sporting iPads, there's a perception that digital versions of magazines, newspapers and books should be far, far cheaper than the hardcopy versions. However, we have to remember that people need to get paid for their work, whether it comes in digital or hardcopy form.
It's not like iPads and other e-readers won't be money makers in some way for magazines and newspapers - the very media for which a significant portion of the iPad design was devised. According to the WSJ article, "Six advertisers, including Coca-Cola and FedEx, have agreed to advertise with the Journal, and a four-month ad package costs $400,000, according to these people. Coke and FedEx declined to comment on terms.
Advertising is the main revenue stream in hard copy, so too will advertising be a major portion of the revenue for digital versions of the papers and magazines.
The WSJ article also addresses advertising on the iPad--apparently Time magazine will debut its iPad version with adverts from Unilever, Toyota, Fidelity Investments and three other companies, with each ad said to be setting them back $200,000 for the full first eight issues.
Source: www.treehugger.com
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