TIMEのウエブが6月1日から全て無料に

先月のニュースみたいですが、6月1日からTIMEのウエブサイトは創刊号からのアーカイブ記事を含めて全て無料で閲覧できるようになるようです。TIMEのCEOからのプレスリリースです。また、TIMEがCNNと関係が深いためか、本人が出演して説明している動画もありました。

The Next Chapter in TIME’s Digital Transformation

BY JESSICA SIBLEY  APRIL 27, 2023 7:00 AM EDT

We are expanding access to our trusted guidance and information on Time.com

At TIME we believe trusted information should be available to everyone, everywhere, regardless of where they live or what they can afford to pay. For 100 years that has been our mission–to serve as the world’s storyteller, shining a light on the people and the ideas that shape it.

TIME is starting a new chapter in this history: We are offering audiences around the world free access to Time.com, including TIME’s archives dating back to 1923, beginning June 1.

Our goal is simple: work in the service of truth and progress as humanity’s trusted guide. Expanding free access to Time.com for readers worldwide—including our current audience of 105 million, the largest in our history—ensures that we are doing our part to eliminate barriers and improve the world.

When it comes to digital inclusion, there is no leader more focused on bringing access to mobility than Hans Vestberg, Chairman and CEO of Verizon, who inspired and supported TIME in this new initiative. When it comes to freedom of information, he says it best: “It is a human right to be connected.” As a pioneer of digital inclusion, Hans is committed to getting one billion of the world’s most marginalized people connected by 2025.

冒頭はまずはTIMEの使命のようなものを語ってから、２段落目に肝となるメッセージを伝えています。

TIME is starting a new chapter in this history: We are offering audiences around the world free access to Time.com, including TIME’s archives dating back to 1923, beginning June 1.

このニュースがほとんど話題になっていないことからしてTIMEというメディアの地盤沈下を感じます。Axiosというサイトのニュースでは、主な目的は若者を取り込むことと、世界的なブランド認知のようです。訪問者を増やして、広告で稼ぐ方向性のようです。

Apr 27, 2023 - Economy & BusinessExclusive: Time to remove digital paywallSara Fischer, author of Axios

Driving the news: Sibley said the shift is both a business and editorial decision.

"The opportunity to reach more audiences globally, that are younger, and that are diverse, is really important to Sam and myself," she noted, referencing Time's newly-appointed editor in chief Sam Jacobs. Jacobs is the youngest editor in chief in Time's history.

Time plans to produce more ad-supported, digital content that will live on its website, its mobile app and across social media.

TIMEを購読している英語学習者にとって気になるのは、定期購読などの扱い。雑誌や電子書籍はこれまで通り有料になるそうです。

Details: Time currently has 1.3 million print subscribers and 250,000 digital subscribers.

The digital content from Time's magazine will now be free, alongside all other content on the website, including 100 years' worth of Time's archived content.

The company will still charge for the print product and still offer a paid digital version of the print magazine through retailers (like Amazon Kindle and Apple News) and through Apple’s App Store.

Paid subscribers to the website will be notified of the changes immediately, and their subscription payments will expire when the paywall is removed June 1.

それだけネットが当たり前になり、さらにはネット広告での収益もある程度望めるようになったと言えるのでしょうか。それとも、お金を払ってまでTIMEを読みたいという層がどんどん少なくなっているという危機感なのか、真相は分かりませんが、100周年を機に大きな決断をTIMEはしました。