If Apple gets its way, the next big wave of content to hit iTunes might be magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is trying to convince publishers to offer newspaper and magazine subscriptions for the iPad through Apple’s own portal.
However, magazines have been limited to single issue sales. Some apps notify a user when a new issue is available, but at $4 or $5 an issue, most users are unlikely to forego a print or online subscription for iPad content.
The big holdup with bringing subscriptions to the iPad has reportedly revolved around user data and, of course, money. Publishers often use their subscriber database to better target customers and to entice advertisers. Apple reportedly doesn’t want to give publishers such easy access to customer information.
Additionally, Apple would likely want to take a 30% revenue cut off any subscriptions sold within iTunes, the same as it does for apps, music, books and video files now.
Both of these points are contentious with publishers, who have acquiesced by selling issues individually or are trying to either build apps that are really just portals to subscriber-only websites (à la The Wall Street Journal) or apps like Zinio that are PDF portals of sorts on their own.
Of course, the big promise with the iPad has been that it is an opportunity for publishers to redefine magazine or newspaper content by making it more engaging and interactive rather than just being a facsimile of the print edition.
Publishers who are looking at ways to combat declining print sales may be able to use Apple’s 160-million strong iTunes customer base to help boost sales. That might be worth a trade-off of control and profit.
For Apple, having unique arrangements with publishers to offer compelling subscription content that is auto-delivered to iOS devices could be a big differentiating factor between the iPad and future competing devices.
Apple’s foray into the world of e-books remains small, especially when compared to market giant Amazon.com
We’ve reached out to several publishers for comment on this story and have not heard back. We’ll keep following this story for future developments.
In the meantime, let us know what you think of iPad-tailored subscriptions for newspapers and magazines. Do you currently read print publications? Would you be more or less likely to subscribe to a tablet-friendly digital version?
For more Apple coverage:
Look Who's Talkin': Comments, Quips, and Tips We Have Known and Loved
What Kitchen Item Should You Not Skimp On?
"I'm with the majority - cookware and knives. Save some money by not purchasing as many pieces but make the ones you do buy good quality and keep them forever.
"What was Tony Bourdain's line? 'If you have any doubts that a pan will do serious damage when banged on someone's head, it's not a good pan'?..." —DDJJ
Is Your Kid Good in a Restaurant?
"My son is almost 2, and he's been going out to restaurants with me since he was a week old. mostly places like Panera and Chipotle, but he's been to a few sit-down places like the local mexican restaurant, Red Robin and other family-friendly places, and he LOVES going to get pho with me. i don't know if it's because he's so used to it (we go out at least once a week, even if it's just a bagel at Panera), but he's almost never loud and obnoxious. fidgety, and wiggly, and wanting to get out of the high chair, but rarely anything that would annoy other patrons. i just make sure that i have something for him to play with, and something to snack on/drink, and if he acts up that'll usually settle him down.
"Of course, now that i said something, he's going to turn into a holy terror..." —AmandaE
Fondant Cakes: I'm So Over Them
"Ever see cakewrecks.com? On Sundays they feature Unwrecks, and almost all fondant free." —sheri1970
Does Anyone Love Their Toaster Oven? Looking for the Best One
"I always like to recommend checking out reviews from Consumer Reports magazine. We usually consult them before making an appliance purchase. They don't always review the exact model you might find in the store but you can get a good idea about the reliability, longevity, strengths and weaknesses of a particular manufacturer. Your local library will probably carry past issues, or they will have an online subscription that you can use to see all their articles. It's a great resource if you're thinking of buying a car." —feedmillgirl
Does Anyone Suspect a few Ringers?
"<'s funny how often you can have the same conversations over and over when you're talking to certain elder relatives. Which will happen sooner or later to all of us.
"What was it I was just saying?
"But yeah, conversation can swing a whole different way when different people participate. If it's something with a yes-no answer, then it's probably better not to ask the same thing again real soon, but with cooking there aren't that many definitive answers." —dbcurrie
Simple Question: Do You Eat While Driving?
"Occasionally (much to my husband's dismay if he knew), usually a breakfast sandwich on the way to work along with a can of Diet Coke. I take extra care to stay in the right hand lane and travel somewhat more slowly than I normally do when noshing on the run. That said, I drive a stick so that really limits it to half a hand munchies." —Hilfy
People Who Have Actual Real-life Food/Spice Names?
"I went to school with a family that had 3 kids: Bud, Sherry, Brandy.
"And yes there was a bit of a drinking problem in that family." —OTC617
Best General Purpose Cookbook?
"My suggestion would be to take a look at several general cookbooks at the library or your local friendly book store and see which one really works for you. Consider the range of recipes, how it's bound (I like hardbound or ringbound books that I can lay flat, but you may prefer paperback or find ringbound books hard to store), the way it's written (Do you want something that includes little personal-sounding tips or something written more clinically? Can you understand the directions on the first read through?), how easy or difficult you find the typeface to read, illustrations (Some people want a photo for every or nearly every dish, others aren't as bothered about seeing what everything is supposed to look like), whether the price looks like you're getting good value for money... anything that might matter to you in working with the book...." —Twistie
Wednesday <b>News</b> « The Confluence
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If Apple gets its way, the next big wave of content to hit iTunes might be magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Apple is trying to convince publishers to offer newspaper and magazine subscriptions for the iPad through Apple’s own portal.
However, magazines have been limited to single issue sales. Some apps notify a user when a new issue is available, but at $4 or $5 an issue, most users are unlikely to forego a print or online subscription for iPad content.
The big holdup with bringing subscriptions to the iPad has reportedly revolved around user data and, of course, money. Publishers often use their subscriber database to better target customers and to entice advertisers. Apple reportedly doesn’t want to give publishers such easy access to customer information.
Additionally, Apple would likely want to take a 30% revenue cut off any subscriptions sold within iTunes, the same as it does for apps, music, books and video files now.
Both of these points are contentious with publishers, who have acquiesced by selling issues individually or are trying to either build apps that are really just portals to subscriber-only websites (à la The Wall Street Journal) or apps like Zinio that are PDF portals of sorts on their own.
Of course, the big promise with the iPad has been that it is an opportunity for publishers to redefine magazine or newspaper content by making it more engaging and interactive rather than just being a facsimile of the print edition.
Publishers who are looking at ways to combat declining print sales may be able to use Apple’s 160-million strong iTunes customer base to help boost sales. That might be worth a trade-off of control and profit.
For Apple, having unique arrangements with publishers to offer compelling subscription content that is auto-delivered to iOS devices could be a big differentiating factor between the iPad and future competing devices.
Apple’s foray into the world of e-books remains small, especially when compared to market giant Amazon.com
We’ve reached out to several publishers for comment on this story and have not heard back. We’ll keep following this story for future developments.
In the meantime, let us know what you think of iPad-tailored subscriptions for newspapers and magazines. Do you currently read print publications? Would you be more or less likely to subscribe to a tablet-friendly digital version?
For more Apple coverage:
Look Who's Talkin': Comments, Quips, and Tips We Have Known and Loved
What Kitchen Item Should You Not Skimp On?
"I'm with the majority - cookware and knives. Save some money by not purchasing as many pieces but make the ones you do buy good quality and keep them forever.
"What was Tony Bourdain's line? 'If you have any doubts that a pan will do serious damage when banged on someone's head, it's not a good pan'?..." —DDJJ
Is Your Kid Good in a Restaurant?
"My son is almost 2, and he's been going out to restaurants with me since he was a week old. mostly places like Panera and Chipotle, but he's been to a few sit-down places like the local mexican restaurant, Red Robin and other family-friendly places, and he LOVES going to get pho with me. i don't know if it's because he's so used to it (we go out at least once a week, even if it's just a bagel at Panera), but he's almost never loud and obnoxious. fidgety, and wiggly, and wanting to get out of the high chair, but rarely anything that would annoy other patrons. i just make sure that i have something for him to play with, and something to snack on/drink, and if he acts up that'll usually settle him down.
"Of course, now that i said something, he's going to turn into a holy terror..." —AmandaE
Fondant Cakes: I'm So Over Them
"Ever see cakewrecks.com? On Sundays they feature Unwrecks, and almost all fondant free." —sheri1970
Does Anyone Love Their Toaster Oven? Looking for the Best One
"I always like to recommend checking out reviews from Consumer Reports magazine. We usually consult them before making an appliance purchase. They don't always review the exact model you might find in the store but you can get a good idea about the reliability, longevity, strengths and weaknesses of a particular manufacturer. Your local library will probably carry past issues, or they will have an online subscription that you can use to see all their articles. It's a great resource if you're thinking of buying a car." —feedmillgirl
Does Anyone Suspect a few Ringers?
"<'s funny how often you can have the same conversations over and over when you're talking to certain elder relatives. Which will happen sooner or later to all of us.
"What was it I was just saying?
"But yeah, conversation can swing a whole different way when different people participate. If it's something with a yes-no answer, then it's probably better not to ask the same thing again real soon, but with cooking there aren't that many definitive answers." —dbcurrie
Simple Question: Do You Eat While Driving?
"Occasionally (much to my husband's dismay if he knew), usually a breakfast sandwich on the way to work along with a can of Diet Coke. I take extra care to stay in the right hand lane and travel somewhat more slowly than I normally do when noshing on the run. That said, I drive a stick so that really limits it to half a hand munchies." —Hilfy
People Who Have Actual Real-life Food/Spice Names?
"I went to school with a family that had 3 kids: Bud, Sherry, Brandy.
"And yes there was a bit of a drinking problem in that family." —OTC617
Best General Purpose Cookbook?
"My suggestion would be to take a look at several general cookbooks at the library or your local friendly book store and see which one really works for you. Consider the range of recipes, how it's bound (I like hardbound or ringbound books that I can lay flat, but you may prefer paperback or find ringbound books hard to store), the way it's written (Do you want something that includes little personal-sounding tips or something written more clinically? Can you understand the directions on the first read through?), how easy or difficult you find the typeface to read, illustrations (Some people want a photo for every or nearly every dish, others aren't as bothered about seeing what everything is supposed to look like), whether the price looks like you're getting good value for money... anything that might matter to you in working with the book...." —Twistie
robert shumake
Wednesday <b>News</b> « The Confluence
In news related to Michelle raising more money, the GOP seems to be short of it. Gosh, other than 8 years of a failed presidency, and then attacking the popular candidates and their supporters just as the Dems are doing, I can't imagine ...
Google <b>News</b> Now Eight Years Old
google-news-screenshot-old Google today announced on the official Google blog the eighth birthday of Google News. It's a huge milestone for the California-based search company, which launched the Google News service on the 22nd of ...
Expired Zune Pass sub blocks music Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>
Read our Xbox 360 news of Expired Zune Pass sub blocks music.
robert shumake
Wednesday <b>News</b> « The Confluence
In news related to Michelle raising more money, the GOP seems to be short of it. Gosh, other than 8 years of a failed presidency, and then attacking the popular candidates and their supporters just as the Dems are doing, I can't imagine ...
Google <b>News</b> Now Eight Years Old
google-news-screenshot-old Google today announced on the official Google blog the eighth birthday of Google News. It's a huge milestone for the California-based search company, which launched the Google News service on the 22nd of ...
Expired Zune Pass sub blocks music Xbox 360 <b>News</b> - Page 1 <b>...</b>
Read our Xbox 360 news of Expired Zune Pass sub blocks music.
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