Later this month the New York Times will implement the long anticipated subscription pay-wall. In a column by Publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger Jr. the six access scenarios were listed out. They are:
- On NYTimes.com, you can view 20 articles each month at no charge (including slide shows, videos and other features). After 20 articles, we will ask you to become a digital subscriber, with full access to our site.
- On our smartphone and tablet apps, the Top News section will remain free of charge. For access to all other sections within the apps, we will ask you to become a digital subscriber.
- The Times is offering three digital subscription packages that allow you to choose from a variety of devices (computer, smartphone, tablet). More information about these plans is available at www.nytimes.com/access.
- Again, all New York Times home delivery subscribers will receive free access to NYTimes.com and to all content on our apps. If you are a home delivery subscriber, go to http://homedelivery.nytimes.com to sign up for free access.
- Readers who come to Times articles through links from search, blogs and social media like Facebook and Twitter will be able to read those articles, even if they have reached their monthly reading limit. For some search engines, users will have a daily limit of free links to Times articles.
- The home page at NYTimes.com and all section fronts will remain free to browse for all users at all times.
Pricing appears to be about $180/year on the low end and $420/yr for full unfettered access. Everything is free for subscribers to the print product.