Trevor BurrowsI don't begrudge #Pitchfork for looking for cash via subscriptions, but they've done this super backwards, imo.
a) They implemented some sort of community review system that literally no one asked for
b) They hid reviews behind their subscription paywall and are touting the community review features as the main attraction
I think they're right that the reviews are their draw -- their range is pretty eclectic these days, and they have some great writers -- but the quantity of reviews is really sporadic since the cutbacks, hardly enough to justify 5 bucks a month.
And the community review feature actually makes me LESS likely to pay that 5 bucks, not more. I don't want it, I don't need it.
If you're going to charge 5 bucks a month, then make it a legit publication again. Take the features and the interviews and some of the special items back to the pre-layoff levels.
Don't try and charge a monthly fee when your material is a husk of what it once was.
https://pitchfork.com/news/a-new-era-for-pitchfork-introducing-reader-scores-and-commenting/
