The NYT has to make money somehow, and explores ways to charge users of its website

This afternoon Salon.com's Katharine Mieszkowski reported (with useful links in the onsite version):

JULY 23, 2009 2:37 PM
N.Y. Times talks about online pay plans

By Katharine Mieszkowski: Details about the New York Times' plans to charge readers of its Web site for access are trickling out. In a conference call to discuss earnings today, CEO Janet Robinson described two possible payment scenarios -- a "meter model" or a "Times club membership."

Notably, the two models the Times is considering seem diametrically opposed in their approach. "A metered model, in which readers would be charged based on how many pages they view, would effectively create a negative incentive for readership, depressing the value of the paper's online advertising," writes Jeff Bercovici on AOL's finance site. "A membership model, on the other hand, would lavish perks on the most enthusiastic readers -- perhaps invitation-only live events, or online chats with op-ed columnists."

The Times reported that Internet advertising revenue in the second quarter fell 15.5 percent compared to the same period a year-ago, according to Editor and Publisher. But the Internet now accounts for about 21 percent of the Times' advertising revenue, up from about 18 percent last year.

Reuters chimed in:

New York Times profit rises, studies web access charge

Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:43pm EDT

By Robert MacMillan

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The New York Times reported higher quarterly profit on cost cuts on Thursday, beating forecasts, but advertising revenue fell 30 percent and a recovery for U.S. newspaper publishers still looks a long way off.

The Times confirmed it is studying ways to charge for access to its popular website at a time when no clear path has emerged for newspaper publishers to switch primarily to the Internet in a sustainable way.

But the company did not address multiple reports that it is trying to sell the money-losing Boston Globe newspaper. It did say it hopes to sell its stake in the holding company that owns the Boston Red Sox baseball team by the end of the year.

Many publishers reported similar results this week and their shares have sunk to historic lows as the recession and the trend of readers abandoning newspapers for the Web sucks away precious ad revenue.

Publishers have slashed jobs and trimmed expenses, making media watchers fearful over the quality of journalism, but the moves have pleased investors, who have sparked a rally in the sector in recent days.

New York Times Co posted second-quarter net income of $39 million, or 27 cents a share, compared with $21.1 million, or 15 cents a share, in the quarter a year ago.

Excluding an income tax gain and various charges, its profit of 8 cents a share surprised analysts, who expected a loss of 4 cents a share, according to Reuters Estimates.

The Times cut operating costs by 20 percent in the quarter, and said it plans to record $450 million in cost savings this year. Some of that savings is coming from closing its City and Suburban newspaper and magazine distribution unit.

Revenue fell 21 percent to $584.5 million on a 30 percent decline in ad revenue. Ad sales at its news media group, which includes its newspapers, fell 32 percent. Online ad revenue, normally a brighter category for publishers, fell 15.5 percent.

USA Today owner Gannett Co Inc, Miami Herald publisher McClatchy Co and Richmond Times-Dispatch publisher Media General Inc, all surprised Wall Street with higher-than-expected profits due to expense cuts, but said ad revenue continued to fall.

As newspaper ad revenue falls, the Times and many other publishers are exploring ways to charge for Web access, but in a way that will not dent online ad sales or drive away large numbers of readers.

It also is cutting labor costs. Earlier this week, union workers agreed to pay cuts and other concessions at the Globe, which will result in $20 million in annual savings at the money-losing paper. The Times has already cut pay by up to 5 percent at other properties, including its flagship paper.

Earlier this month, the Times said it will sell its classical music radio station in New York to pay debt, and that it hopes to sell its stake in the Red Sox's holding company, New England Sports Ventures, by the end of the year.

(Reporting by Robert MacMillan; editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

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