Skip to main content

News Corp. Angling for Form Consortium for Paid Web News?

News Corp. Angling for Form Consortium for Paid Web News?

A few months ago, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. made headlines by announcing it was planning to start charging users to read online versions of the company’s newspaper properties, by putting portions of its content behind so-called “paywalls” that could only be accessed by paid subscribers. Now, The Los Angeles Times reports that News Corp has been meeting with other news publishers with an eye towards forming a consortium to charge for online news access.

The idea behind the consortium is apparently to present a unified front across the news industry: if all major outlets were to start putting their digital content behind paywalls, the idea of trying to make up for declining advertising revenue from print editions might succeed. But if individual publishers try to go it alone, they may wind up undercutting each other’s efforts as users flock to sources that remain freely accessible. News Corp is apparently setting itself up to spearhead the group, based on its success with the subscription-only Wall Street Journal, which boasts about a million paid online subscribers. However, the Wall Street Journal and similar publications offer specialized information and financial data; industry watchers debate whether everyday consumers would be willing to pay for less specialized general-interest news.

News Corp is one of the world’s largest newspaper publishers, and owns the New York Post and the Times of London, along with dozens of papers in Australia.

According to the Los Angeles Times, others looking to find a way for newspapers to earn money via digital delivery include the Journalism Online initiative, Borders Books and and Webvan co-founder Louis Borders.

Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra vs. Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Which is the best robot vacuum?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra placed in its dock.

The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra share a lot of similarities -- the least of which is their brand name. Along with the capacity to vacuum and mop in a single cleaning cycle, the two robots can automatically empty their dustbins and clean their dirty mops once the cycle is complete. That alone makes them two of the best robot vacuums on the market.

But while there are plenty of similarities between the S8 MaxV Ultra and S8 Pro Ultra, there are a few key differences that could make one better for your home than the other. From pricing and vacuuming power to navigational skills and more, here's a comprehensive look at the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more
How to fix a Ring doorbell that won’t chime
Person installing Ring video doorbell

While Ring does make some of the best video doorbells, they aren't immune to issues with their chime. This issue is, after all, at the top of the list when it comes to video doorbell problems. But, if your Ring won't ring what should you do? We break down the procedure to get your Ring video doorbell back in action, with a step-by-step approach to troubleshooting this issue.

Read more
Ring sale: Up to 44% off video doorbells and security cameras
The Ring Video Doorbell 3 installed near a door.

Buying a video doorbell or a security camera are among the easiest ways of improving your home's security, and Ring is one of the most trusted names if you're planning to get either or both of these devices. If you're interested, there's an ongoing Ring sale on Amazon so that you wouldn't have to pay full price. The available Ring deals include standalone security gadgets and bundles, and you can get as much as 44% off their sticker prices, but only if you hurry because there's no telling how much time is remaining on these offers.

What to buy in Amazon's Ring sale
Ring is a mainstay in our lists of the best video doorbells and best home security cameras because of the helpful features that they'll provide, including 24/7 live streaming through the Ring app, two-way audio to talk to visitors outside your front door or family members inside, customizable mobile alerts, and compatibility with smart home devices that are powered by Amazon's Alexa, among many others.

Read more