Denver-based ap on Monday said it has launched an online subscription paywall at 23 of its newspapers in five states but not in Colorado.
Called a digital subscription, the system allows free access to a limited amount of content on a monthly basis. Readers then will be asked to subscribe to have full access to their local news site, according to a company news release.
The small- to medium-sized publications launching the digital paywall are in California, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Vermont. A digital paywall system has been tested by ap at its Chico, Calif., and York, Pa., papers since last year.
In Colorado, ap papers include The Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera.
Sara Glines, ap’s vice president of field operations, said there are no plans to expand the paywall beyond the 23 out-of-state newspapers at this time.
“The decision to begin charging for our online content introduces a new era for our organization that is reflective of the high value we place on journalistic excellence and serving the community,”said ap chairman and chief executive William Dean Singleton. “Implementation of online subscriptions will allow us to continue to support the quality writing and reporting that our readers expect from us.”
Under the model, all readers of the selected publications will have access to the home page, classifieds, obituaries and announcements section. Readers also will receive five free pages of editorial content per month before being asked to subscribe.
Current print subscribers may extend their subscriptions to include full digital access for an additional $1.99 per month or $19.99 per year.
Digital-only subscriptions will be available to those who are not currently print subscribers for $5.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
