In a surprise April 1 move, independent.com announced plans to go to a subscription-only Web site.
Set to begin April 15, “so our loyal readers get their two-week’s notice,” Publisher Randy Campbell explains the details in the promotional video accompanying this article. “We figured Tax Day is a great time, because everybody is thinkin’ about money and stuff.”
Campbell is confident his pay-for-view scheme is destined for success: “We only need a handful of subscribers to be successful.”
The rate is to be $1,509,364 for a year’s membership.
The Independent is also considering a similar scheme for its award-winning weekly newspaper, which would “reduce the cost of 40,000 copies per week to, like, less than 100 copies!” unnamed sources said.
