Sports Illustrated has significantly reduced its printed publication in recent years and moving their digital content behind a paywall seemed like the natural progression. According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Maven’s SI.com is planning to set a paywall around its premium content beginning Feb. 2.
“Premium content” was not defined for the metered paywall, but the estimated subscription price is around $5.99. SI’s top competitor The Athletic offers a seven-day free trial, followed by $7.99 per month or $4.99 monthly with an annual subscription.
For its magazine, SI currently charges $20 annually for 16 issues, or $30 for a two-year, 30-issue subscription. The yearly plan includes 12 monthly magazines and four special editions including the annual SI Swimsuit Issue. SI’s printed magazine was reduced to twice a month in 2018 and moved to a monthly publication last year.
As Front Office Sports notes, moving behind a paywall next week allows SI to take advantage of Super Bowl intrigue as they look to attract subscribers.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
