#digital-subscriptions

#digital-subscriptions

The latest: The Washington Post is laying off hundreds of journalists in an effort to "restructure" the newsroom and cut costs. In 2024, the company began prioritizing subscriptions over digital advertising, raising the yearly fee to access content. The big picture: While major media companies and news organizations tinker with delivery methods, tiered subscriptions and bundles that include non-news packages, including crossword puzzles and games, local news is still operating standard paywalls, relying on subscription-based revenue instead of digital advertising.

Subscription bundles have been the driving force behind The New York Times' digital subscription growth. In a recent earnings call, New York Times CEO Meredith Kopit Levien said at least 50% of its subscribers are paying for a bundled subscription or for multiple product subscriptions, "which is important because those subscribers engage more, stay longer and pay more over time," she said.