What makes for the best paid news subscriptions? As you’re about to find out it’s a combination of several factors.
You work hard for your money, and the last thing you want to do is waste it on paid news subscriptions that don’t deliver much value or are not aligned with your personal values.
Features of the best paid news subscriptions
A good news subscription service will deliver unique exclusive content that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s also got to deliver quality content that is well researched, with original double-verified first party sources.
Not only does it have to provide the subscriber with a high degree of confidence and trust by delivering sourced information, but the news subscription service also needs to be well-written and engaging, with quality original photography, video, and cutting-edge infographics.
You should also expect to receive a variety of content across many sections that are of interest, such as news, business, lifestyle, and opinion.
The best paid news subscriptions are easy to access across many devices and platforms, including but not limited to mobile, tablet, desktop, and streaming boxes like Apple TV, as well as traditional print products like newspapers and magazines.
Some companies even let you custom-tailor your subscription according to topics of interest. The best paid news subscriptions carry well written big name pundits for thought-provoking commentary and insight.
The features of a paid news subscription can vary depending on the publication or media organization offering the subscription. However, some common features of paid news subscriptions include:
- Access to a wide range of news and information, including articles, videos, and other forms of content
- Exclusive access to certain types of content, such as in-depth analysis or breaking news
- Personalization options, such as the ability to create a customized news feed or to receive alerts about specific topics
- The ability to access content on multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers
- The ability to access additional features and perks, such as discounts on events or products, or access to exclusive events or experiences
- The option to easily cancel the subscription at any time, without penalty or being forced to navigate a maze of customer service retention agents whose job is to save you as a customer.
In addition to these features, many paid news subscriptions also include the ability to access content from multiple publications or media organizations within the same subscription like Apple News.
For example, a person with a paid news subscription may have access to content from a newspaper, a magazine, and a news website all under the same subscription. This can provide a more comprehensive and diverse range of news and information to subscribers.
Benefits of finding the best paid news subscriptions for you
There is too much content out there nowadays. You can waste so much time endlessly searching for the news you want and need. There’s also a terrible amount of political bias baked into different news organizations, which distorts and muddies the information for ideological reasons. There are so many examples of fake news in recent years.
The benefit of subscribing to the right paid news service that you trust is that it can save you a lot of time from having to search and navigate the web.
Waiting in line for a coffee or sitting in a lounge chair at the bank, the best paid news subscriptions go with you wherever you go, available on demand when you have time.
There are many benefits of reading newspapers. The key is to find one you trust to bring you accurate unbiased information.
Popular paid news subscriptions
The beautiful infographic below gives an inaccurate picture of the world’s most popular paid news websites. The list contains outlets like The Game Informer, and The Athletic, which are not traditional news outlets, but rather niche special interest publications.
The New York Times has been the leading news publication when it comes to total subscribers. The term New York Times effect describes the influence the publication has on setting the agenda which many other media then follow.
Privately owned independent outlets like The Epoch Times are not included in the source research of the infographic. This presentation omits one of the top subscribed outlets in the U.S.
Smooth Technology
Besides the hard work that goes into newsgathering and editing, the best paid news subscriptions are rich with cutting edge tech. Your daily information consumption habit should be fast and effortless.
The best paid news sites and apps should be quick to load and easy to navigate, save and share your favorite content.
Features that make articles easy to access and share are critical to delivering a smooth and efficient experience.
The last thing you want is slow loading ads and endless pre-roll videos bogging you down and consuming data when you’re trying to stay informed.
List of Top 10 Paid News Subscription Companies
- The New York Times Subscription
- The Wall Street Journal Subscription
- The Washington Post
- The Epoch Times
- The Financial Times
- The Guardian
- The Economist
- The Sunday Times
- The Telegraph
- The Atlantic
The good thing about most digital subscriptions is they have short-term month-to-month billing, so you can try out multiple companies to see what you like. But there are a few things to watch out for. Many digital subscriptions are easy to sign up for but can be tricky to cancel. Often, retention offers are used to lock you in for a year. So be careful not to fall into any offer traps.
In terms of finding the right type of news subscription to buy, don’t just go where everyone around you goes. Do your own research in advance to find out what way an outlet leans to see if it’s generally aligned with your personal values. A good source for this is Allsides.
Whatever news you’re reading, make sure to evaluate it critically.
What are your favorite paid news subscriptions? What subscriptions do you have now, and what would make you switch to a competitor? Do you have a subscription because of a certain writer, or do other features like ease of use and good video content keep you subscribing to a publication? Do you have multiple paid news subscriptions, or do you rely on one primary source to keep you informed?
Let us know your recommendations for the best paid news subscriptions and how long you’ve been a paid subscriber in the comments below.