MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Why do single-issue periodicals cost a few times more than under subscriptions?

greenapple · 08-10-2014, 03:48 AM

Generally, I understand that buying single issues of periodicals (whether in digital or print form) are somewhat more expensive. I accept that, because that's a great way for publishers to entice people to pay a lump sum upfront for a yearly deal. I've also heard somewhere that subscriptions help publishers plan print quantity.

However, what I don't understand is when publishers charge many times more for single issues than a copy under subscription.

For instance, at Amazon

The New Yorker
Subscription: $5.99/month ($1.5/issue)
Current Issue: $6.99

Newsweek
Subscription: $2.99/month ($0.69/issue)
Current Issue: $4.99

and it's pretty much the same for most other periodicals.

What's the rationale for such a wide gap in price (single copy vs subscription)? Wouldn't it be cheaper for a person to buy a one month subscription and then cancel it at the end of the month?

08-10-2014, 03:48 AM	#1
greenapple Evangelist Posts: 404 Karma: 664 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle DX, Kobo Aura HD	Why do single-issue periodicals cost a few times more than under subscriptions? Generally, I understand that buying single issues of periodicals (whether in digital or print form) are somewhat more expensive. I accept that, because that's a great way for publishers to entice people to pay a lump sum upfront for a yearly deal. I've also heard somewhere that subscriptions help publishers plan print quantity. However, what I don't understand is when publishers charge many times more for single issues than a copy under subscription. For instance, at Amazon The New Yorker Subscription: $5.99/month ($1.5/issue) Current Issue: $6.99 Newsweek Subscription: $2.99/month ($0.69/issue) Current Issue: $4.99 and it's pretty much the same for most other periodicals. What's the rationale for such a wide gap in price (single copy vs subscription)? Wouldn't it be cheaper for a person to buy a one month subscription and then cancel it at the end of the month?