[jontaydev]

The thing about subscribing the New York Times - is that you still have to deal with a tremendous number of ads, seemingly every other paragraph. The solution is simple, just install an ad-blocker. But then why not use that ad-blocker to just bock cookies and bypass the paywall, since I’m gaming the system anyways? I guess I could consider my subscription a donation because I’m going to use an ad-blocker either way. But why can’t I pay to have a great experience? I considered subscribing through the iOS app, but of course there is no way to block ads. So unfortunately, I don’t receive any breaking news notifications.

The browser experience is ok with an ad-blocker. But why not reward your subscribers with a great reading experience? Remove the ads, focus on good typography, etc, and I would pay whatever you ask. Preferably through an app.

Edit: I’ve been a subscriber for years, and I’m willing to pay regardless. I just think they could improve by making the subscription meaningful to a generation that doesn’t want to see ads.

[blakesterz]

I can only guess... when you buy the actual paper there's still ads. In the end they are an advertising company. They write things to increase circulation (hits and copies) so they can get more people to see more ads. That's how it's always worked. That "subscribe and you won't see ads" probably makes no sense at all to company that spent decades selling paying subscribers printed ads. People spend money to buy print ads, why wouldn't they mind paying money to see ads on their electronic device as well? They (The Times) and most subscribers probably don't think it's any big deal to pay to see more ads.

[moneil971]

For most publications, the newsstand sales are a minuscule amount of income - subscriptions are a bit more (and help them plan budgets), but ads is how they keep the lights on. But it’s harder and harder to do that bc no one wants to pay for quality reporting and fact checking when they can get rumors and opinions for free on any clickbait website that pays writers pennies and has fired their fact checkers and copy editors. If you truly want quality journalism, pick the publications you don’t want to lose and subscribe - and know that the ads are what keep the cost low enough for the average person to get reliable news.

[vorpalhex]

My other complaint about subscribing is that it's damned expensive and their subscription terms are awkward and arbitrary. Give me a year for $50 and I'd give them my credit card yesterday.