Telegraph to put up metered paywall

The Daily Telegraph is going to charge for access to its website, becoming the first British general interest newspaper to employ the metered paywall model.

People will be allowed to read just 20 articles a month on the paper's site for free. If they wish to read more then they will be able to choose between two digital subscription pages:

 The Telegraph web pack offers unlimited access to the paper's online content, plus access to its smartphone apps, for £1.99 per month (or £20 per year).

The full digital pack, which also includes access to the Telegraph titles on tablet devices plus loyalty club membership, will cost £9.99 a month (or £99 per year).

With both packages, readers will be offered a one-month free trial before they are asked to commit to a subscription.

This metered model is favoured by newspapers across the US - notably at the New York Times - and Canada. It is also employed in Britain by the Financial Times, but the Telegraph becomes the first general newspaper in the UK to introduce it.

By contrast, The Times and Sunday Times site is protected by a full paywall, restricting all access to unless users pay for a subscription.

The Telegraph's decision comes after its launch in November 2012 of the metered model on its international website. According to its press release for the UK launch, nine out of ten people who take a month-long free trial go on to subscribe.

Existing print and digital subscribers in Britain will enjoy unlimited access to the website as part of their current packages at no extra cost.

Telegraph editor Tony Gallagher said: "We want to develop a closer rapport with our digital audience in the UK, and we intend to unveil a number of compelling digital products for our loyal subscribers in the months ahead."

And Graham Horner, the Telegraph Media Group's marketing director, said: "This step marks the next stage in our subscription strategy.

"Our priority is always to deliver choice and value to our customers. The continual evolution of our subscription packages ensures that we deliver on this promise."