Time gives print subscribers an extra: read it on your iPad free
Digital versions of magazines could help boost the flat revenues of the magazine business. Now Time may be nearer to making that possible after a deal with Apple.
The largest magazine publisher in the US has confirmed that it has reached an arrangement with Apple to let print subscribers to Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune access those magazines’ iPad editions for free. The company struck a similar deal for People magazine in August.
Apps will be available to readers to authenticate them as subscribers, said the Wall Street Journal.
The agreement is seen as a step forward in resolving a months-old argument with Apple over making digital subscriptions to the magazines available on the iPad.
The main sticking point has been that the publishers insist on having a direct relationship with their readers - and Apple refuses to give up consumer data. The decision to give digital magazine content free to subscribers seems to be favour widespread distribution over maximising revenue from consumers, said Adweek. " Time Inc. is sure to see its download numbers grow." Until now magazines - forced to selling single digital issues only - have had tiny download numbers because of the high prices they have had to charge.