First chink in Times paywall

The Times: Knock-down admission price

Of course it’s early days in the new paywall encompassing the Times and Sunday Times, but indications are that what’s happening behind the Murdoch motte and bailey is exactly what everyone thought would happen: online viewers have left in TNT lorryloads. Everyone knew they would, that is, except perhaps for the benighted folk at Wapping.

In a bid to lure them back, Murdoch’s belatedly launched Plan B: knock-down admission prices.

This way be dragons

The Times: None shall pass...unless you've got a quid

Tomorrow the portcullis is slammed down on the Times and Sunday Times websites as they hunker down behind the Murdoch paywall. Watching from the sidelines will be the usual collection of Madame Defarges, aka “media commentators”, clucking away about whether this is the smartest move Rupe’s made since buying the Sun and hiring Larry Lamb, or whether the Dirty Digger’s finally lost it.

Personally, I don’t think it’s going to make much difference.