NYT Begins Distributing Articles Through Text Messages; Free And Without Ads (For Now)
Better late than never: Readers of the New York Times can now get news stories sent to them as a text message. The plans have been in the works since last fall, when the Times mobilized its real estate listings. When I interviewed Michael Zimbalist, the Times
This is a great concept for newspapers, and can lure advertisers and readers back to their site or even their print product for more details on the delivered stories or other related stories. Advertising revenue will probably just follow. The way I'd like to see this work is that someone comes to the newspaper's site, sets up their favorite subjects or keywords and that determines what stories are delivered. There should also be links back to other key topics as well. Suburban Newspapers of America has 2400 suburan and community newspapers in the U.S. and Canada who could emulate this New York Times product and even expand on it for their local community.
The Times isn’t charging for the short-code based text service, though standard carrier charges will be there.
Advertising revenue will probably just follow. The way I’d like to see this work is that someone comes to the newspaper’s site, sets up.
I think that distributing articles this way is kinda cool. Dont you think?