More than 100 electronic versions of weekly newspaper titles in the Tindle Group have gone online in the past six months.
Tindle Newspapers started a pilot project in the summer with four free and two paid-for titles but has been so overwhelmed with interest that it has dramatically increased the number of papers offered.
Around a third of the 100 e-editions are for paid-for titles, and while these are only available via a paid-for subscription service, the rest are free.
The remainder of Tindle’s 220 titles due to follow suit and go online within the coming weeks.
The company uses PageSuite technology which enables viewers to read the exact same version of a newspaper as it appears in print but on a computer screen instead.
Weekly subscription prices for PageSuite versions are the same as they would be customers buying Tindle’s print products.
Group MD Brian Doel said: “We originally expected a few paid online subscriptions in our core circulation areas, with most coming from foreign parts.
“In fact many of our subscriptions, worth thousands of pounds, came from local subscribers. Some people obviously prefer to read their local papers on their computers.
“Many of our papers have survived technology changes for 150 years or more. This online move will help guarantee their survival for another 150.”
Tindle said it chose PageSuite as the online publishing tool after experimenting with other software providers but opted for it due to its user friendliness and ease of access from the publishing centres.
Comments
Bloodied but unbowed (15/12/2009 13:01:14)
“Many of our papers have survived technology changes for 150 years or more.”
Too right – has anyone seen the antiquated system we use to produce these papers?
Pass me the em rule.
Bloodied but unbowed