Free Content Options Continue to Shake Things Up

摘要

The free-versus-fee debate continued as another major media player tweaked its business model. FT.com, the Internet site of The Financial Times that has charged for most of its online content in the past, announced that articles and data will now be free for users up to a total of 30 views a month. Users will then bernasked to subscribe to access more material. This could prove to be a savvy compromise: Open up content for casual users and for linking from search engines, blogs, etc., while keeping subscription fees forrnheavy users.rnObservers indicated that this is preparation for the battle with ThernWall Street Journal, which is being acquired in the News Corp. purchase of Dow Jones. A News Corp. spokesperson reportedly said, "We don't want to buy the FT. News Corp. will crush it." FT.com has about 100,000 subscribers, while WSJ.com has more than 900,000.