Time Inc. magazine subscribers to get iPad versions for free

Time Inc. is reportedly in talks with Apple to let print subscribers access the iPad version of its magazines for free. According to a Wall Street Journal report, subscribers to Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune magazines will be able to download the iPad app and use the app's built-in authentication scheme to identify them as print subscribers. This arrangement, already available for People magazine subscribers, will debut on Monday.

Apple introduced subscription-based pricing earlier this year, and many magazines now offer digital versions for a nominal fee separate from the cost of the print version. Parent company Time Warner took a different approach and extended its television-based "View Anywhere" model to its magazines. This outlook allows paying customers to access content across platforms -- cable customers can watch TV, and print magazine subscribers can read content on their iPad.

By bundling its digital version with the print version for one flat price, Time Inc. is trying to innovate in the struggling print media market. The media company will announce its Q1 financial earnings on Wednesday May 4, and this new subscription model may be a bright spot in what is expected to be a quarter of flat performance.

View Tags

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870370330457629…

Categories

iPad

Time Inc. is reportedly in talks with Apple to let print subscribers access the iPad version of its magazines for free. According to a...

Add a Comment

Sign in »

7 Comments

Filter by:

TheCastro

Obviously I'm the only one excited about this on TUAW.

I love having this feature with the Economist and wanted it for Time and Newsweek. I take my magazines to work to read on break and let others read and if I don't finish them I get to do it at home on my iPad. It would be cool if they included the spoken version like the Economist too.

May 02 2011 at 4:03 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Claire_B

The digital edition of Time magazine for iPad is only available for US customers, even though Time magazine publishes several international editions. International subscribers however "may download Single Copy Issue through the iTunes Store for $4.99 US", to quote customer service. Considering international subscriptions, though published locally, are more expensive than the US subscriptions, this will hardly feel like a fair deal to many readers. I for one take this as my cue to cancel my (print) subscription.

May 02 2011 at 3:58 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mark

If they really want to "innovate", then they would offer an iPad only subscription, for less than the dead trees subscription. Another example of leading from the rear, doomed to failure.

May 02 2011 at 11:11 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

todd.jolley

If I wanted the print version, I'd buy the print version. I want a digital only version for less than the print version. I'm trying to save trees and cut down on landfill.

May 02 2011 at 10:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to todd.jolley's comment

redcard

Let's be honest. You couldn't give a horses arse about the rainforest.

You're sticking with print for the sake of a few bucks.

May 02 2011 at 12:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

mail

I have the same problem. They charge $5 an issue on the iPad for Time Magazine. Go on Amazon and you can get a whole year for $30. (That's $0.54/issue). You would be a fool to even consider 'saving the planet' when they are going to charge you ten times the price. I just subscribed to the paper edition of the New York Times. They charge $30/month for web and mobile access. I get the paper version mailed to my door every weekday, just to put it in the recycle bin and read the digital version for $10/month (unlimited, complete access on all platforms).

May 02 2011 at 8:29 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Uncle Bernie

seriously? who reads that leftist rag,?

May 02 2011 at 9:50 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply