Everyone knows that newspapers have been at a steady decline over the last couple of years. In France, their trying to come up with new ways to keep their newspapers in circulation. Their new idea is to get a younger crowd to start reading the paper. In regards to that, they are giving away papers to young readers in an effort to turn them into regular customers.
The government Tuesday detailed plans of a project called “My Free Newspaper,” under which 18- to 24-year-olds will be offered a free, yearlong subscription to a newspaper of their choice.
It may seem like a good idea at the moment, but in the long run if it doesn't turn out the way they hoped for it will cost them more money giving away free yearly subscriptions to numerous amounts of kids.
Even if I didn't read the paper, I would take a free subscription. Just so I could have the option to read it or not. Especially if it wasn't costing me a penny.
Readership in France is especially low among young people. According to a government study, only 10 percent of those aged 15 to 24 read a paid-for newspaper daily in 2007, down from 20 percent a decade earlier.
There are about 60 publications that are participating in the new project.
Costs of the project are being shared by the newspapers and the state, with the government allocating $22.5 million, over three years.
The government said 30,000 people had already signed up for free subscriptions under a preregistration program with individual newspapers; a special Web site will be available soon to speed the process.
I hope it works as according to plan. If it really boosts numbers, and ratings maybe it will continue over to the U.S.
Even though our newspapers are very inexpensive, who would not want a free subscription.
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Wow, I can't believe the project is costing $22.5 million dollars. It sounded like a great idea at first since newpapers are in a decline. I am not sure if it is going to be worth that much money that they are spending on the project. Hopefully giving away free newpaper subscriptions will payoff. I agree with you, if it works hopefully it will continue over to the U.S.
ReplyDeleteI hardly see anyone reading the newspaper anymore. We are building a nice collection on our porch bench of the paper, which is sad. I don't think many will want to subscribe after the year subscription is over though. Hopefully it will work though.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will work either. I think they will take it while it's free, not read it, throw it away, and let the subscription expire.
ReplyDeleteIt is so much easier (and cheaper) to just turn on your computer and go to your local news website.
I think it's good that newspapers are trying to do something to increase their sales, but I don't think that giving away free newspapers to young readers is going to help. Kids don't usually like reading especially newspapers, so why would they spend money on something they don't like? I'm sure that because the paper will be free Kids will read it but once it will cost again Kids won't buy it.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting approach to the problem. It really can go two ways, the loses will be enormous if it does not spike an interest in purchasing the paper after the free subscription. I do like the fact thought that France is thinking outside the box in order to keep the tradition of newspaper alive as our generation grows older. I hope all works out, this is an issue where we will just have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteI don't know how well that is going to work out. I too would get a subscription if it wasn't costing me anything just so I could have a choice to read it or not. I guess I could be wrong and start picking up the paper everyday and end up getting a subscription next yeat, but I wouldn't imagine I would.
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