OT: Does "IN Denver Times" have a chance? - The Orange Mane

24champ · 03-17-2009, 01:19 PM

Does anyone think the former "Rocky" employees can make this online news organization work? They have a goal of getting 50,000 people to suscribe to their news organization by April 23.

Quote:

IwantmyRocky.com and other former Rocky Mountain News staff members announced a plan to start an online news site backed by three local entrepreneurs. We need 50,000 subscribers by April 23, the 150th anniversary of the first edition of the Rocky, in order to go with a launch of a new site at www.indenvertimes.com on May 4. Please support us by subscribing here, and in the meantime enjoy the news on this temporary site.

http://www.iwantmyrocky.com/

Pretty ambitious IMO to get 50,000 subscribers in a month.

theAPAOps5 · 03-17-2009, 01:25 PM

Seems to me they set a goal high hoping to get something a little lower. but if you shoot for 30,000 you are only going to get 15,000. I would be more apt to pledge if Lee Rasizer were on their list.

Kaylore · 03-17-2009, 01:28 PM

Drudge started something similar and became the most powerful online news source in America. There's a market for it.

theAPAOps5 · 03-17-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Drudge started something similar and became the most powerful online news source in America. There's a market for it.

If done well the RMN have the talent.

24champ · 03-17-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaylore

Drudge started something similar and became the most powerful online news source in America. There's a market for it.

True. But far as I know Drudge isn't charging 4.99 for a subscription and has to pay a variety of writers/columnists.

Taco John · 03-17-2009, 01:39 PM

Only if they're light weight...

I hope they make it. But they're going to have to be lightweight...

theAPAOps5 · 03-17-2009, 01:41 PM

If it takes off they will drop the subscription because they can make money from ad clicks.

chawknz · 03-17-2009, 01:53 PM

I don't believe they do. I forget which one it was, either Salon or Slate, started off as a pay service and gathered an "epic" team of writers. Their model totally failed and now they are free with ads. Same thing will happen to In Denver Times, if they even get off the ground. There's just too much free information out there. I don't see a market for a $5 a month news source.

BigPlayShay · 03-17-2009, 01:59 PM

What they should do is offer it for free, but open the door for regulars to post content along with the writers. If the regular Joes get selected and their articles drive traffic/revenue then they should pay those content contributors based on the traffic or revenue they generate.

Opening up the content contribution to everyday people would alone drive traffic and would be enticing to Advertisers.

Binkythefrog · 03-17-2009, 03:10 PM

I highly doubt that this model can make it.

The New York Times tried with a similar subscription fee service and dropped it soon after. Even the Wall Street Journal is thinking on dropping their fees. Say what you will about the content of these newspapers, but they had national recognition. The Rocky writers won't get very many people outside of Colorado.

There is a reason why no newspapers in the country charge for news.

Popps · 03-17-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

Only if they're light weight...

I hope they make it. But they're going to have to be lightweight...

Agree. The online news market is going to be a lot like the early E-craze. Those who start out on a shoestring budget and grow like an actual business grows will have a shot at hanging in there.

24champ · 03-17-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

Only if they're light weight...

I hope they make it. But they're going to have to be lightweight...

Here is the staff...I think.

Quote:

Sam Adams, Tom Auclair, Lisa Bornstein, Mark Brown, Tim Burroughs,
Mary Chandler, Mark Christopher, Kevin Flynn, Tillie Fong, Steve Foster,
Scott Gilbert, Chuck Hickey, Cindy House, Kevin Huhn, Kim Humphreys,
Jay Lee, Aaron Lopez, Gary Massaro, David Milstead, John Moore, Alex Neth,
Melissa Pomponio, Bill Scanlon, Hank Schultz, Marc Shulgold,
Ed Stein, George Tanner, Chris Tomasson, Bob Willis and Mark Wolf.

Not exactly lightweight to me.

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03-17-2009, 01:25 PM	#2
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,057 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	Seems to me they set a goal high hoping to get something a little lower. but if you shoot for 30,000 you are only going to get 15,000. I would be more apt to pledge if Lee Rasizer were on their list.

03-17-2009, 01:28 PM	#3
Kaylore 6-37, Raider fans. Yummy birds and snow! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ceti Alpha V Posts: 41,008 Adopt-a-Bronco: Wesley Duke	Drudge started something similar and became the most powerful online news source in America. There's a market for it.

03-17-2009, 01:39 PM	#6
Taco John 24/7 Broncos In Elway I Trust Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 49,697 Adopt-a-Bronco: Peyton Manning	Only if they're light weight... I hope they make it. But they're going to have to be lightweight...

03-17-2009, 01:41 PM	#7
theAPAOps5 A new beginning! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Denver Posts: 26,057 Adopt-a-Bronco: Watermock - RIP	If it takes off they will drop the subscription because they can make money from ad clicks.

03-17-2009, 01:53 PM	#8
chawknz Perennial Pro-bowler Hey now! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 923 Adopt-a-Bronco: Derek Wolfe	I don't believe they do. I forget which one it was, either Salon or Slate, started off as a pay service and gathered an "epic" team of writers. Their model totally failed and now they are free with ads. Same thing will happen to In Denver Times, if they even get off the ground. There's just too much free information out there. I don't see a market for a $5 a month news source.

03-17-2009, 01:59 PM	#9
BigPlayShay Ring of Famer Novaking Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 4,236 Adopt-a-Bronco: Got Cut	What they should do is offer it for free, but open the door for regulars to post content along with the writers. If the regular Joes get selected and their articles drive traffic/revenue then they should pay those content contributors based on the traffic or revenue they generate. Opening up the content contribution to everyday people would alone drive traffic and would be enticing to Advertisers.

03-17-2009, 03:10 PM	#10
Binkythefrog Seasoned Veteran Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 310	I highly doubt that this model can make it. The New York Times tried with a similar subscription fee service and dropped it soon after. Even the Wall Street Journal is thinking on dropping their fees. Say what you will about the content of these newspapers, but they had national recognition. The Rocky writers won't get very many people outside of Colorado. There is a reason why no newspapers in the country charge for news.