Big news from News International. It has confirmed its paywall for the News of the World will go live next month.

News International are making it cheaper than The Times with plans to charge £1 a day or £1.99 for four week’s access to the News of the World’s website.

The Times is priced at £1 a day or £2 a week. Does that mean tabloid journalism is valued less? Sure I know the Times is a daily product, but News of the World is updated throughout the week.

Or is the low price point recognition that attracting paying subscribers to the News of the World will be a much harder sell? I blogged last month that I thought this was going to be for them. Still thinking the same and wonder if its target market will pay?

News International press release

News International today announces that the News of the World will start charging for access to its digital journalism in October.

The News of the World will relaunch its website www.notw.co.uk and make it available to customers for a charge of £1 for a day’s access or £1.99 for a four-week subscription. The iPad app will follow with a separate weekly charge of £1.19.

The new website will feature a modern, innovative design, making much more of the News of the World’s exclusive video and pictures. New software will provide a slick and exciting web-friendly experience.

At the same time, Fabulous magazine will relaunch its website www.fabulousmag.co.uk, which showcases enhanced content from the magazine. Access to this site will be included in the pricing for the News of the World.

Rebekah Brooks, Chief Executive, News International, said: “The News of the World website will be the third of our titles to launch a paid-for digital proposition in under four months. News International is leading the industry by delivering on its commitment to develop new ways of making the business of news an economically exciting proposition.”

Colin Myler, Editor of the News of the World, said: “This is a very significant moment in the history of the News of the World. The paid site makes the most of our heritage, presenting our unique content with a real focus on exclusive video and pictures.

“Our new digital sites and apps will showcase our agenda-setting stories, celebrity exclusives and world-class investigative journalism, plus our unrivalled sports coverage, to give our audience unbeatable value.”

Registered customers will be given an introductory offer at launch.

More on paywalls today

WPP agencies working on paid content project