Rostrum Communications - A London PR Company

The Times is now charging for access to its online content.  News International has announced that The Times and The Sunday Times new websites went live yesterday.  There is an initial free trial period of one month for registered users, who will see a host of new digital features to enhance coverage and encourage interactivity.  The launch of the newly-designed sites, which will replace the combined Times Online, marks the first time that each title has had a dedicated online presence.

The sites can be viewed at www.thetimes.co.uk and www.thesundaytimes.co.uk respectively. From June, a charge of £1 for a day or £2 for a week will give customers access to both sites.  Access to the digital services will also be included in the seven-day subscriptions of print customers to The Times and The Sunday Times.

We will closely monitor the performance of the site traffic and keep you posted as to the implications of this move by The Times.  One assumes that where Rupert Murdoch goes, other papers may follow, but nothing is set in stone as social media, user-generated content and free content.  The FT reported that the paywall on the new Times website may deter 90% of Times online readers

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3f99bac0-685d-11df-a52f-00144feab49a.html - but they would say that, wouldn’t they!

Interesting piece in the Standard today, in which Anthony Hilton proposes that Britain needs a ‘proper’ sterling crisis, suggesting we be ‘quietly pleased’ about the declining value of the pound and take advantage of the ‘freedom’ that comes with being able to set our own interest rates. He asks why, in light of the situation in Greece, which is trapped in a ‘debt nightmare’ because it cannot improve its position by devaluation, there is concern when sterling slides. Perhaps, Hilton suggests, this is due to a combination of the panic spread by hedge funds, a lack of political and investment confidence and an oversensitive nation which views a weakening currency ‘as if it is a national disgrace’. While losing the AAA credit rating may sound bad, Hilton observes how many countries ‘get by happily enough on AA’ and, in a similar ve! in, dismisses the fuss made about a hung Parliament, with minority and coaltion governments having served well elsewhere for decades. Vince Cable’s proposals on how and when to tackle the UK’s deficit are, Hilton claims, the most sensible on offer. In conclusion, Hilton believes that sterling’s continued fall ‘has its positive side’.  Worth a look. 

Associated Newspapers has announced it is considering whether to close the London Lite. 

The publisher has entered a period of consultation over the future of the paper. It is a loss making title and could face closure after the market was considerably altered last month.

News International’s thelondonpaper was closed in September and subsequently the decision was made by owners of the London Evening Standard to launch it as a free title.

Ryan

Financial services hit the headlines this week as Alastair Darling urged British banks to lend more to small firms - it’s an ongoing issue but he’s raised it again.

This is a massive PR challenge for the industry… somehow the banks need to work out how to manage the conflicting demands of rebuilding their balance sheets and freeing up funds to lend to good businesses.  Then they need to communicate to their stakeholders that they’re making every effort to improve the supply of credit to UK firms.  It’s no coincidence that RBS’ new ad campaign focuses on the same issue of lending to SMEs.  There are no easy answers… expect this one to run and run.

Mark