The tipping point for digital publishing? New research results

How many print publishers are experimenting with digital formats, both on the web and online?

Early results from the Specialist Media Insights 2012 research show that digital publishing may have just gone mainstream.

A year ago, this research showed that 22 per cent of publishers had mobile apps and a further 16 per cent planned to launch. This has now grown to 35 per cent having live mobile apps and a further 27 per cent planning to launch. 

Those who charge are resisting discounting: with 43 per cent of apps priced in line with print editions. Most of the survey respondents are UK based, but 60 per cent see over 20 per cent of downloads coming from outside the UK.

Online paid content isn’t changing as dramatically as mobile, but it is growing. 34 per cent of publishers surveyed are already charging for online web content, with a further 25 per cent planning to charge within the next two years. Annual subs are beating one-off payments by a large margin.

The Specialist Media Insights survey is live for two more weeks, and covers pricing of online subs and digital magazines, plans for online events, the impact of social media on publishers' business and observations for the future.

All who take part in the survey will receive a summary of the results, providing a useful benchmark for planning their digital publishing strategy.

Take part in Specialist Media Insights 2012.

Specialist Media Insights 2012 is supported by InPublishing Magazine and the Specialist Media Show, and sponsored by Brad Insight. Jim Bilton will present highlights of the research at the Specialist Media Show on 24 May 2012 at ThinkTank Birmingham.

All responses are confidential and held by Demographix, who power the survey, according to MRS guidelines. If you provide your email address you will receive a copy of the summary results. This information is held by Demographix and is not connected to your answers.