AOP: 70% of digital publishers will charge for content

Over two-thirds of digital publishers in the newspaper, magazine and TV industries are expected to implement paid-for models for online content, according to the latest survey by the Association of Online Publishers.

The AOP’s report found that around 70% of publishers, including Trinity Mirror, Associated and the Telegraph Media Group, will start charging for online content in the near future – a jump from 46% in 2007.

Around 33% of those publishers intend to use a micro-payment system to charge online users, according to the AOP.

UK Publishers believe that users are most comfortable paying for special reports and downloadable apps, which 26% of respondents said they intend to charge for, followed by archives and tailored mobile content.

More than 80% of AOP respondents also said that the Apple iPhone has transformed the opportunity for mobile internet. In response to the question – What distribution channel will become more important in the next 12 months? – 69% said mobile, while 67% said mobile apps.

The annual survey also found that more than half of all AOP members (57%) publish content through Twitter, while 48% publish through Facebook and 45% through YouTube.

Lee Baker, AOP director, said: “We have all been talking about a tough year for industry and particularly for publishers … a strong vote for mobile and mobile apps is encouraging for the industry as a whole.  And the use of Twitter is a particularly interesting development in terms of use of new mechanisms to publish content.”