Content publishers

[YaSO]

So this is Year 2004. It is quite clear that content publishers(newspapers, magazines, and what have you) need to have online distribution mechanism; it is not an option but a necessity for survival. However, when it comes to the payment mechanism, there are a couple of different ways to collect payments, namely, subscription, ads, and hybrid of subscription and ads. My personal prediction is that most publishers will select hybrid of subscription and ads while subscription will be introducing micro-payment system(pay by the amount of content you access). What do you all think about it? Your prediction?

[philipwhiteold]

Most consumers will look elswhere for information rather than paying for subscriptions. I think your post about online commercials will become more of a reality on large media sites.

[dpetersam]

The technology for micro payments is there. Is the market about to catch up? "Half dozen one way, six the other" IMO.