Most newspapers have tried to find ways of offering online readers special access in return for a small fee. The goal has been to reach as many readers as possible given that vast numbers of readers have been migrating to the web for their daily news fixes. McClatchy’s Sacramento Bee, known for its close coverage of California’s state politics, is trying a twist on that game plan, in the hopeful sense that a few people will pay a lot for specific news. The paper is starting a website called Capitol Alert that promises an even more granular focus on California’s governor and legislature, the NYT reported. Access to Capitol Alert costs $499 a year (with lower rates available for offices or organizations that buy several memberships at once).
The NYT quotes Joyce Terhaar, the Sac Bee’s managing editor, as pointing out that the Capitol Alert’s content is intended for a niche audience, such as lobbyists or political insiders. She added that breaking news would still be posted on the paper’s main site during the day. In addition to the special content like exclusive blogs, expanded columns, e-mail updates, Capitol Alert will also allow views at 8 p.m., three hours earlier than most of the next day’s paper appears online. While lobbyists are regarded to have deep pockets, the news offered had better be pretty insider-ish for it to be worth paying so much for news that will otherwise be available within four hours to everyone else.
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