New York Times website attracts 100000 subscribers – but losses mount

The group's first-quarter earnings fell 58% as digital ad sales failed to make up for a fall in print advertising. Total advertising revenue fell 4.4% as a 7.5% drop in print advertising revenue was offset by a 4.5% rise in digital revenue. Circulation revenue fell 3.7%.

Last month The New York Times announced it was introducing a paywall for regular users of its website. The site remains free for people who read fewer than 20 articles a month, a group that represents about 85% of the site's more than 30 million unique visitors a month.

Those who breach the 20-article threshold are prompted to sign up for monthly subscription plans ranging from $15-$35. Print subscribers receive access to the site as part of their subscription.

The figure will be a boost for the NYT, which, according to web analytics firm Experian Hitwise, has lost 5%-10% of its traffic since charging was introduced. The Times was aiming for 300,000 digital subscribers in the first year.

The initial 100,000 subscribers excludes people offered a free subscription as part of an advertising partnership with Ford's Lincoln brand, existing print subscribers and other introductory offers.