THE pricing structure for a partial paywall involving The Herald website has been revealed.
Last week, it was announced that heraldscotland.com – which includes content from The Herald group of newspapers – was being both revamped and also going behind a partial paywall.
Say The Herald’s publishers: “Among the improvements are easier navigation between articles and a cleaner layout. There will also be more emphasis on original, unique content, including a range of new commentators in a dedicated politics section, along with expanded coverage of business and rugby across Scotland.”
While access will be free for up to and including ten articles over a four-week period, there will be a charge for more extensive access. The only exception are subscribers to the print edition of The Herald, who will be permitted free, full access to the website. Otherwise, it will be £1 for the first four weeks and then £2.99 per four weeks.
In a statement, group digital director, Mark Smith, is quoted, as saying: “We’re following the lead set by the New York Times and others, still allowing access to a limited amount of our journalism for free, but asking regular users to contribute a small amount towards supporting our journalism.
“Our research shows that most of our users are happy to pay for something they value. It’s our job to make sure we provide that value.
“We also believe it’s important that quality journalism by Scots and for Scots exists and prospers in the digital environment, perhaps never more so with Scotland facing up to real economic and social challenges, and of course a huge collective decision about independence.
“We intend that HeraldScotland rises to that challenge and over the months and years to come expands across a range of fields to become Scotland’s foremost digital journalism brand.”
