Speaking at the two day “Syndicate: Content Syndication Trends” conference Tuesday at the New York Marriott Marquis, New York Times SVP of Digital Operations Martin Nisenholtz defended the company’s decision to partially charge for access to the paper’s online content. Of interest to Bloggers, an important distribution network the any company’s online content, Nisenholtz said the Times was considering a revenue share arrangement that would allow bloggers access to the content behind the $49, 95 annual barrier.
Reacting to the many negative comments from audience members during the Q & A, Nisenholtz responded, “People think nothing of ordering a $25 martini at the hotel bar but pay fifty bucks for archived material at the Times? Oh my God!” He also told the audience he does not think all content should be free even though it might take the paper’s columnists out of the many “conversations” that occur once bloggers start linking to content.
