Since the 1980s, with few exceptions, mass-circulation print periodicals have relied increasingly on advertising for support rather than circulation, which has become in many cases a loss leader: A rate base inflated by cheap subscriptions supported aggressive ad pricing, but circ income in many cases went negative, sometimes deeply into the red, thanks to the cost of paper, ink and distribution. What digital migration requires are three basic changes from the print model, all of which should be delicious for editors and publishers to contemplate: 1) eliminate the cost of paper, ink and distribution; 2) charge much less for a subscription; and 3) vastly improve the editorial product through the addition of video, audio, Flash animation and infographics that move.
Source: crashingintomedia.wordpress.com
