ST Premium Christmas Offer Is $0.99/Mth; Netizens Say Past 3 Months Also Same Promo

Straits Times Premium Subscription Ads Hit A Paywall With Netizens

When national newspaper The Straits Times (ST) decided to bite the bullet and implement a paywall for ‘premium content’ by experienced journalists, netizens weren’t having it.

Now that Singaporeans have lived about 10 months with the impenetrable paywall, it seems like ST has been voraciously trying to convince us that it’s time to get a subscription.

Through loads of ongoing ads on Facebook and Instagram.

You may recognise this festive version, with just one constant — a $0.99/month promo that’s been ongoing for the past 3 months at least.

Deal or no deal

Unfortunately, netizens were savage AF about the promo.

Source

Some aptly pointed out that it wasn’t a new one, nor was it truly a “limited time” promotion. Netizens claim similar promos have been running since October this year.

Source

 

Others thought ST was “really desperate”. They felt that by not subscribing, cost savings would be even more substantial.

Source

Finally, this netizen felt that it was hard for ST to sustain readership with live updates on Facebook.

Source

There was also the matter of “censorship” in state media to consider, said another.

Source

Monetising intellectual property

To be fair, some commentators have pointed out that without monetising their online publication, it would be hard to sustain ST in the long-run.

https://mustsharenews.com/straits-times-premium/

Given that the bulk of their parent company’s profit ironically didn’t come from their print or online journalism arms, they may just be on to something.

Although SPH seems to be doing a better job at running their retail and property assets for profit. Intellectual property, as it stands is something that ST is trying to protect.

What else do you think ST can do to ensure their survival, besides investing in property turn a profit?

Do you think ST’s paywall is a success or a strategy that has unfortunately backfired?

Featured image from The Straits Times on Facebook.

The Must Share News Team

Teamwork makes the dream work.

Recent Posts

Underage teen in S’pore buries stillborn in house yard, police digs up bones during investigation

The coroner said this was the first case of its kind he had encountered in…

23 Dec 2024, 7:05 pm

M’sia Airlines grounds new Airbus just days after maiden flight, cites technical issues

The brand-new jet suffered a series of technical issues since its first-ever flight on 19…

23 Dec 2024, 6:17 pm

Family in S’pore finds snake on side view mirror mid-drive, netizens quip ‘Snake Year is coming’

The Paradise Tree Snake may have misjudged its landing and ended up on the car.

23 Dec 2024, 4:48 pm

69-year-old man dies after fight with 71-year-old neighbour over bumping into each other

The 69-year-old was reportedly upset over his neighbour's refusal to apologise.

23 Dec 2024, 4:33 pm

Bloomberg issued POFMA order over S’pore GCB transactions article, Govt addresses ‘falsehoods’

False claims include that GCB transactions occur without government checks on beneficial owners' identities.

23 Dec 2024, 3:35 pm

Woman set on fire aboard New York subway train, suspect allegedly watches her burn

The suspect casually watched as the woman became consumed by flames.

23 Dec 2024, 3:14 pm