The APN owned Daily Mercury newspaper is promoting Daily Mercury Unlimited, a digital subscription package for the Daily Mercury stories that also provides access to the News Corp. owned Courier Mail as well as Fox Sports.
I wonder if this deal has been facilitated by Michael Miller, former CEO of APN, returning to News Corp. as Executive Chairman. The link itself feels like it ought to be big news as it appears to strengthen the concentration of influence of the News Corp. organisation.
Here is the announcement as it appeared in the Daily Mercury:
How does the ACCC look at such a move? Is there a commercial relationship between APN and News Corp. that the ACCC ought to consider? I am surprised at the lack of coverage about this – or have I missed it?
Check out this follow up ‘story’ in the Daily Mercury making access to News Corp. content clear.
Newsagents selling the Daily Mercury are left wondering about the move. Should they be concerned for the future of the masthead or is the Courier Mail tie-in icing on the cake with their local masthead the main focus? Regardless, it feels like there ought to be reporting on this move by media analysts and reporters so we can be fully informed. All we have to go off at the moment is the APN spin.
One newsagent drawing my attention to this issue commented: The demise of the local paper just accelerated.
What do others think? Am I wrong to be concerned or to question this?
Those are good questions to ask Mark.
When we reported it last week we didn’t go beyond the press release.
http://www.mediaweek.com.au/arm-rolls-out-metered-content-model-across-all-dailies/
We will speak with ARM about the initiative after it has been running for a few weeks.
Seems at face value a good way to generate some revenue for the newsbrands serving the local communities and keep their customers with a much broader offer.
James I agree from an APN and News Corp. perspective it makes sense. From a concentration of media ownership perspective, a community perspective, there are questions. Then there is the question of the long term plan for regional and rural media – but that question is more one for consumers: will they be prepared to pay what it will take to maintain regional and rural media? Indications are they will not.