Time Inc and Apple Agree on Free App Subscriptions

Posted on May 2 2011 - 1:54pm by Richard Sharp

If you like reading Time magazine and like your iPad then we have some fantastic news for you today as it seems that the two powerhouses in their respective fields have come to an agreement to provide app access free to print magazine subscribers.

The last few months have been fraught with talks and negotiations between Apple and TIME Inc who have now agreed that their subscribers will be able to access their iPad app without any additional charges. This will also be extended to Sports illustrated and fortune magazines which up until now have been paid apps regardless if you were a print subscriber.

The group wanted to set up free subscriptions earlier in the year although Apple explained that subscription services must be paid and that they would take 30% of payments in the usual fashion. No details have been given on the compromise of the new deal, presumably Apple will be getting some kind of monetary reward directly from Time Inc themselves for each free subscription registered through the app store.

The deal could open up opportunities for other print media who have previously requested free versions of their magazine or newspaper; others will probably be cursing Time Inc because it could mean the end of the ‘double bubble’ subscriptions they are currently enjoying – basically an additional revenue stream could be cut off.

Obviously people who do not subscribe to the print version will still have to pay the full subscription fee through the app; users who are print subscribers will simply need to verify the fact within the app to waive those charges.

Do you think all paper based media who offer subscriptions with apps should have this option?

Via: Cnet

 

2 Comments so far. Feel free to join this conversation.

  1. fxgeorges May 4, 2011 at 3:59 am - Reply

    Can I subscribe to Sports Illustrated and then tell them to not send the print version? I don't need both but, if the only way to get a subscription to the iPad version is to subscribe to the print, I may just do that. Whish there was away to tell them not to actually mail the print versions to me because it will be a waste, it will hit the trash can the second I bring it into the house.

    • gadgetsandgizmos May 4, 2011 at 10:37 am - Reply

      I suppose you could cancel your print sub and resubscribe through the app instead

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