Miami Herald to launch paywall Dec. 18

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Miami Herald publisher David Landsberg sent this email to the paper's staffers Wednesday afternoon.

Folks,

During the past two years many newspapers around the country have introduced paid subscriptions for access to their websites and apps. Beginning December 18, The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald will do so as well, launching digital subscription packages.

Why are we doing this? The world of news and information keeps changing. Technological advances provide us with the convenience of mobile phones, tablets and social media channels. We have transformed our business to become 24/7 information specialists, with the ability to deliver breaking news through a variety of digital platforms in addition to our print newspapers. These changes have resulted in a new business model, whereby the cost of producing our news coverage is spread across the various channels we provide.

Under the new subscription program, users of our websites and apps will have access to a limited number of stories every month. When they reach their limit, they will be asked to subscribe to the new digital package or consider a print subscription that includes the digital package. This new Plus+ digital packages includes unlimited access to our websites, news alerts, digital newspaper/e-Editions and smartphone apps.

While this change represents a new direction for McClatchy and MHMC, it is the path many others in the industry have successfully taken. We are confident that this new model will allow us to provide information the way our readers want it, and help keep us a strong and dynamic media organization, now and in the future.

David Landsberg

Judging from the early comments on a story on the paper's website about the paywall, I'd say the Herald is in for an uphill battle in gaining reader acceptance.


From July 28: MiamiHerald.com to have paywall by year's end