Lessons From The Dallas Morning News’s Failed Paywall

Posted Wednesday, October 2, 2013 12:26 pm

By: Ryan Chittum | Columbia Journalism Review

In May 2009, Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney told the Senate that a paywall didn’t make sense for his newspaper unless everybody else did one too:
 
if The Dallas Morning News today put up a paywall over its content, people would go to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here

Scroll the Latest Job Opportunities From The Media Job Board

E&P Exclusives

Building a nonprofit news empire: Cityside’s blueprint for success in the Bay Area

Funding and creating journalism in the Bay area of California is challenging. But it’s not impossible. Lance Knobel and colleagues Tasneem Raja and Tracey Taylor started Berkeleyside.com in 2009. They filled a news desert with Oaklandside when the Oakland Tribune shut down. Now, they’re expanding into Richmond with Richmondside.

Study reveals winning strategies to monetize newsletters

The popularity of newsletters with readers and the revenue-generating opportunities for publishers have increased substantially since E&P’s February 2022 Revenue Round-Up article. A new study of monthly newsletter readers released in July from MAGNA Media Trials and Sherwood Media found 41% said it was their preferred news source — topping a list of 12 sources. The study also found that one-third of newsletter readers don't use news websites as their regular news source.

Read E&P Exlcusives

Latest (Proudly Printed) Magazine

#NewsPeople on the move

Comcast Advertising names Scott Weisenthal as head of gobal marketing and insights

Comcast Advertising, the advertising division of Comcast, has named Scott Weisenthal as the new head of global marketing and insights. In this role, Weisenthal will oversee all global marketing and brand strategy for Comcast Advertising, which includes Effectv, the ad sales division of Comcast, and FreeWheel, its technology arm.

TEGNA announces mid-2025 departure of chief operating officer, Lynn Beall

TEGNA Inc. has announced that Lynn Beall, executive vice president and chief operating officer of media operations, will depart from TEGNA in mid-2025 after a significant transition period, enabling the company to benefit from her invaluable experience as it transitions to a new organizational structure.

See more NewsPeople

Latest E&P Sponsored Case Studies

How to Sell Digital Advertising in 30 Minutes

Hyperlocal news publisher and creator of Broadstreet Kenny Katzgrau teamed up with Montclair Local's Annette Batson to deliver a highly polished and tactical webinar on achieving same-day closes with digital advertisers.

These publishers are using digital signage to grow audience & revenue. (3 Case studies)

Watch this "E&P Reports" Sponsored Webinar revealing how these three news publishers are taking advantage of the new, growing, impactful media of digital signage, to reach new readers and drive new revenue.

Lessons From The Dallas Morning News’s Failed Paywall

Comments

Comcast launches new free streaming app The Network on its entertainment platforms

POLITICO owner Axel Springer strikes breakup deal with KKR

TelevisaUnivision considers removing CEO who knit company together

In surprise ruling, EU court scraps $1.65 billion antitrust fine against Google

Building a nonprofit news empire: Cityside’s blueprint for success in the Bay Area

Study reveals winning strategies to monetize newsletters

Standing strong for visual journalists; The NPPA’s ongoing advocacy for access and innovation

UVM’s Center for Community News breaks ground with nationwide journalism collaboration