CorpComms Magazine

Only 35 per cent of those who consume news online have a favourite site, with most readers grazing multiple sites for interesting stories, according to a survey released by American press research centre, Pew.

While the majority, 71 per cent, of Internet users get their news online, 65 per cent browse the web and do not remain faithful to a single news outlet.

Even the most loyal news consumers are unwilling to pay for what they read. Eight out of ten of those with a favourite site said they would find other sources of news if it created a paywall, whilst only one in five said they are happy to pay for news online.

As news agencies confront the question of how to charge for online content, the pollsters asked news consumers if they had to pay for online content would they prefer a subscription allowing unhampered access to their chosen site or a more bite-sized pay-per-article system. More than half, 54 per cent, of those with a favourite site opted for the subscription model, with only 24 per cent favouring the pay-per-click.

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