The Economist to experiment with new pay wall

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The Economist will begin experimentation with an enhanced pay wall from October 13, the publication officially announced today.

The existing pay wall, which charged for access to articles more than a year old on its website, will now be extended to all content over 90 days old.

'This week's print edition', a section of the website which featured the current magazine will also only be available to subscribers.

"We consider this ['This week's print edition'] to be a premium reading experience and plan to develop the online edition of our magazine for our most loyal and engaged readers: subscribers," said Ben Edwards, publisher of The Economist's website, in a release.

"The Economist brand has innovated and expanded online, moving beyond making the magazine available via the internet to become a hub for intelligent discussion and debate," he said.

"Our intention is to continue to develop intelligent discussion as a free, advertising-supported experience, but to charge for the weekly magazine online."

The publication will continue to encourage both subscribers and non-subscribers to participate discussions hosted on www.economist.com, and externally on Facebook and elsewhere, Edwards said.

Magazine and online subscriptions are currently priced at £102 per year by direct debit , or there is the option of an online-only subscription for US $79. In September, an interview in Media Week with Yvonne Ossman, publisher of The Economist in the UK, revealed details of the publication's new paid-for content review, including the consideration of micropayments. [