'The New Yorker' Subscriptions Go Live on iPad

Monday May 9, 2011 10:52 am PDT by Eric Slivka

As noted by All Things Digital reports, Conde Nast has followed through on last week's claims that the publisher would begin offering subscriptions to its stable of magazines via the iPad App Store using Apple's in app subscription mechanism. As previously reported, The New Yorker is the first title to debut with subscriptions, but another seven titles should be rolling out soon.

An updated version of that magazine's iPad app gives lets users subscribe to the weekly magazine for $5.99 a month, or the equivalent of a $1.50 an issue. That's a steep discount from the app's old model, which only sold individual issues for $4.99 a pop.

Conde Nast is selling an annual subscription to the iPad app for $59.99; a yearly subscription to the print version of the magazine costs $69.95. Very important: Conde says print subscribers will get iPad access for free.

Several reports over the weekend had pointed to a $19.99 annual subscription rate and $1.99 per-issue pricing, but those figures appear to be for the publisher's other titles that are published on a monthly basis. As a weekly magazine, The New Yorker requires a substantial higher subscription fee. Still, single issues of The New Yorker remain priced at $4.99, a significant premium over even the monthly subscription option.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Buy Now)
[ 75 comments ]

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
MurphyM
115 months ago

Just as the WSJ can charge for their information (and get it), I think the New Yorker is one of the few magazines that might get $60/year as a workable model. Long-form journalism is rare today. Those who like it will pay.

Plus they get cartoons. :) .....


Couldn't agree more. I've canceled most of my print subscriptions at this point. The content really got thin, and any smartphone can deliver an endless stream of content.

But the New Yorker is different, densely-packed week after week. The thinning of the print herd is already well underway, but I don't see the New Yorker sweating much.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
tomkeddie
115 months ago
Internation subs?

I think the big market here will be international subs.

Being a weekly makes the postage a significant part of the cost, the price difference between international subs (Canada $US90, Rest of the World $US120) is much greater. An additional bonus is being able to read them in the week of publication instead of the usual 2-3 week delay.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
fifthworld
115 months ago

Yes, this is stealing - it is just wrong.

THIS is the reason why many companies won't give out free subscriptions to current subscribers - this is why people have to pay for digital and paper in many cases. This is stealing from EVERYONE, not that company that publishes - they just raise the price (and make everyone pay for your theft) or they will stop offering the free download and make again everyone else pay for your theft. It is abusing of the system and just theft - can't see anything good in your behavior.


I disagree. I've been longtime subscriber of several music magazines (paper) and never felt there is anything wrong in sharing them with my friends.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
See Flat
115 months ago

Thankfully my friend won't give up on the paper edition so we'll likely split the $70 cost, he'll take paper and I'll take digital. Probably quasi-stealing, right? Anyone else doing this?
Even at $60 for the year (ipad only) it's still awesome considering the previous price.


Not quasi-stealing. It is stealing.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
kuwisdelu
115 months ago
Good news for me. I like the New Yorker, but hate how the print versions pile up in my tiny apartment.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
ThunderSkunk
115 months ago
Awesome! Will purchase.

Purchas like crazy.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Consultant
115 months ago
That's better.

After a year of fails Conde Nast finally implemented something more resaonable.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
Warbrain
115 months ago
Should be interesting to see how this all plays out.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
darbus69
115 months ago
def interested now...keep em coming.
Rating: 1 Votes
Avatar
vbtwo31984
115 months ago

Difference: it's used and old news by the time he gets it .... the digital copy is by contract for the subscriber only, not for his best buddy.


So can I give my new and unused print magazine version to my buddy and read the digital copy myself? Or are you arguing that the digital version can only be in the hands of the person who holds the physical copy? Is it stealing for a husband to read the paper version and for a wife to read the digital version or is it stealing only when it's your buddy?

Is it now illegal for me to give my physical copy to anyone else because I still get to keep the digital version?
Rating: 0 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]