Danish newspaper fakes iPad on front page

As the newspaper industry struggles to find its way in an increasingly digital world, publishers, writers, and so on are reconsidering their business models. Danish newspaper Information makes the case for going digital crystal clear by filling its entire front page with an image of the iPad (at right).

The supporting article (translated into English here) details how local free newspapers are killing the paid competition, and makes the case for online distribution and micropayments. It's an idea we've seen before, but it is still untested on a large scale.

As for consumers, interest in go-anywhere, read-anytime digital newspapers, magazines and books is high. According to the Association of American Publishers, e-books grew at a compound annual rate of 58% between 2002 and 2008. The Kindle and Nook have also performed well for Amazon and Barnes and Noble, and iPad anticipation is high. The issue, of course, is how established organizations like Information, The New York Times, etc... will make the transition.

There's much conjecture over whether the iPad will save the publishing industry. Most are skeptical if not downright unconvinced. In the end, whoever finds the perfect solution that pleases consumers and producers alike will reap an incredible bounty. Who that will be remains to be seen.

Update: There's a higher resolution photo here.

Thanks, Carsten!

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Source: http://www.information.dk/225117

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As the newspaper industry struggles to find its way in an increasingly digital world, publishers, writers, and so on are reconsidering...

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Dominik Lada - Mojejabluszko.pl

They were not first - first was Polish newspaper "Polska The Times". The day after prezentation of iPad they done that same with front page:

http://mojejabluszko.pl/2010/02/23/cudze-chwalicie-swego-nie-znacie/

February 23 2010 at 4:50 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Andrew

For the benefit of the American readers of TUAW I would like to point out that Scandinavians are the world's largest consumers of newspapers.

There is a baffling number of local newspapers in every tiny city in my country (Norway). And they're quality newspapers with local content, and proper online versions as well. I assume it applies to Denmark and Sweden as well.

Furthermore the Scandinavian market is seen as a rarity in the international newspaper industry. Our newspapers have successfully managed the transition to online publishing and found *new* revenue streams.

And new ways of reporting and publishing the news; video reports, live reporting from events (sports/major events) even user generated content.

The Norwegian newspaper publishing company Schibsted Group owns a large number of papers in Scandinavia, and their properties have managed to find new revenue streams from social networking, interaction, specialized services, new online-only attractions (from travel groups, games, health clubs, dating services to ISP services).

While newspapers are dying off in the US, for any number of reasons, this is not the case for Europe and especially Scandinavia.

February 22 2010 at 8:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dan1el

Very interesting (being a dane and all). I think it should be added this newspaper isn't "The Sun" or "The Mirror" but a very "red" and idealistic newspaper, who only recently added pictures (to avoid too much commercials in the news papers, very opposite of let's say MetroExpress).

Personally I have great respect for this news paper, they give you the whole story, not just headliners (Last time I read it was a 4 page article about the current wars being fought in the name of Denmark, rather neutral and very informative).

This newspaper also have a history filled with problems getting printed due to lack of fundings, and this (kind of) newspaper might be the first to move to the iPad or similar, they focus so much more on journalism than so many other papers and hopefully without all the hidden commercials and interruptions in video streams.

I look forward to see what Information will take the newspaper on in e-format.

February 22 2010 at 4:13 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to dan1el's comment

Jakob Henner

That typo in the headline is just embarrassing!
But as I understand, only Berlingske (Mecom) and Politiken/EB (the later being The Sun) are working on content for the iPad?

I guess that's a boring discussion for the rest of the world.. so which major papers in your country are planning to support the iPad?

February 22 2010 at 4:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Matias Singers

There is a better digital photo right here: http://twitter.com/matiassingers/status/9477508027

There is also quite a big spelling error in the headline. Jounalistikken is supposed to be Journalistikken. ;)

February 22 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to Matias Singers's comment

ploughansen

HA! Didn't even catch that... :)

February 22 2010 at 2:06 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MJZimmer88

Well obviously the company's going to go out of business shortly... their paper isn't even in American!

(hehe)

March 23 2010 at 4:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply