It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, rich or poor, nobody wants to pay for online news. With almost three quarters willing to move on to another site, just how many consumers are willing to pay for the news?

A Paid Content U.K. and Harris poll found that only 5 percent of readers would pay for their favorite news site if it were to start charging for content. Another 8 percent would keep reading free headlines if they were offered.

The last 12 percent aren’t sure exactly how they would manage without their favorite site, but they certainly aren’t lining up to hand over a check. With the dearth of free online news content, these readers are likely to find another source for their news.

By Age

Interestingly enough, the age group most likely to pay for an online news subscription are those aged 16-24. While this group is likely to have the least money, they are the least likely to give up their favorite news source altogether.

Those over the age of 35 are the least likely to pay subscription fees with only 1 or 2 percent willing to sign up. Thrifty adults aged 45-54 are the most likely just to browse free headlines rather than handing over a credit card.

By Household Income

Middle classers, whether upper or lower middle class, are the most likely to pay for online content, though only 6 percent of them. Skilled workers are very unlikely to pay for news, with only 2 percent willing to jump on board.

Strangely enough, working class people are more likely than skilled workers to subscribe to a news site at 5 percent. Though this income group is likely to have the least disposable income.

It’s quite telling that even with such low responses across the board, the people most open to paying for news online are the least likely to be able to afford it. I guess Rupert Murdoch might have to find another way to monetize his media empire.

Related:

Entry was posted on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 at 9:40 am under Blogosphere, Ecommerce.

Read more entries by Dave Jeyes.
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