UK online publishers shift attitudes: almost 70% plan to charge online, as compared to 46% in 2007 - report

This marks a shift in attitudes from 2007, when only 46 percent of the publishers stated the same. According to the survey findings, one in three of those who are considering charging for online content have expressed their preference for a pay-as-you-go or micropayment system. The survey also found that over half of AOP members publish content through Twitter, 48 percent through Facebook and 45 percent through YouTube. Respondents have also indicated that they intend to charge for special reports and downloadable applications (26 percent), archives (16 percent) and specific mobile content (16 percent).

Those polled believe that mobile internet development is the biggest trend expected in the next 12 months, with 86% mentioning that they already provide or expect to provide mobile sites. More than 80% of respondents said that the Apple iPhone had transformed the opportunity for mobile internet.

When asked about the biggest opportunities offered by the digital landscape, respondents mentioned mobile web (85 percent), UGC (75 percent), high-speed broadband (75 percent), community/social networking (73 percent) and behavioural targeting (73 percent). As for the threats to their business, 70 percent indicated falls in the economy, 50 percent mentioned BBC, 38 percent named Google, while 35 percent referred to the government and legal restrictions.