FT mulling 24-hour paid access to content

The Financial Times (FT) is planning to allow mobile internet users 24-hour access to its news content for a fee.

According to Brand Republic, the payment structure would be introduced along with new mobile launches later in the year.

For small one-off charges, consumers would be able to access FT stories and features for a 24-hour period.

Rob Grimshaw, managing director of the newspaper's website FT.com, said he is confident that people would be willing to pay.

Indeed, he pointed out that micropayments would suit some readers who do not wish to commit to a full year's subscription.

At present, the FT charges between £171 and £259 a year for full access to its online content.

The news comes as other newspapers are looking at ways to generate revenue by charging for access.

According to the Guardian, its paid-for news application for the iPhone was downloaded almost 70,000 times in the first month since its launch.

If such charging structures prove widely successful in the newspaper publishing industry, it could open up some interesting opportunities for those seeking digital media jobs in the sector.

Posted by Gemma Roskell

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