Newspaper mobile app activity correlates with newspaper size, according to [pdf] an April 2011 study from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and Reynolds Journalism Institute. Results from “The Push to Paid” indicate 62% of newspapers with a circulation of more than 25,000 have a mobile phone app, while only 21% of newspapers with a circulation of less than 25,000 have a mobile phone app.
6 in 10 Papers W/out Mobile App Plan Launch in 12 Months
Looking at newspapers of all sizes, the study finds about six in 10 (59%) newspapers that don’t currently have a mobile phone app plan to offer one within the next 12 months. In addition, 35% of those papers plan to charge for their apps.
Few Papers Have Tablet Apps
Study results show that overall, fewer than two in 10 newspapers have tablet apps. However, 39% of newspapers with a circulation of more than 25,000 have tablet apps. In contrast, only 9% of newspapers with a circulation of less than 25,000 have tablet apps.
Close to Half of Papers W/out Tablet Apps Plan Launch in 12 Months
While overall tablet app usage is currently low among newspapers, close to half (48%) of those without a tablet app plan to launch one within the next 12 months. Forty-five percent plan to charge for it.
Smaller Papers More Likely to Charge for Online Content
Overall, four in 10 newspapers are charging for some online content. Analyzing that figure by newspaper size, it becomes apparent smaller newspapers are ahead of larger newspapers in this area of digital content. Forty-six percent of newspapers with a circulation of less than 25,000 are charging for some online content, compared to 24% of those with circulation of more than 25,000.
More than Half of Papers w/Paid Content Give Subscribers Free Access
More than half (54%) of newspapers with paid online content make online users pay but give subscribers free access. Another 30% make all users pay, while 15% use metered fees.
Newspapers Expect Higher Digital Revenue Stream
Newspaper publishers have high hopes for the short-term future of digital products, according to other study results. In three years, only approximately 20% of newspapers expect to obtain less than 10% of their revenues from digital products, while close to another 20% expect to derive 10-14% of their revenues digitally.
The biggest change is in the percentages who expect to obtain more than 25% of their revenues from digital products. More than 10% of newspapers expect that 25-29% of their revenues in three years will come from digital products, while slightly less than 9% predict 30-34% of revenues will be digitally generated. More than a combined 5% expect 35-40% of revenues will come from digital products.
About the Data: The University of Missouri School of Journalism and Reynolds Journalism Institute conducted phone interviews with 301 US newspaper publishers from April 1-18, 2011.