• by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, April 6, 2006

Online publishers are shifting away from paid subscription models, at least in the United Kingdom, according to the U.K.-based Association of Online Publishers.

The organization reported this week that 37 percent of members now charge for what it termed "branded, quality content online," down from 63 percent last year. Members include widely read publishers like The Economist Group, Dennis Interactive, FT.com, Guardian Unlimited and Haymarket Publishing.

When asked whether they plan to charge for online content in the future, 43 percent replied that they did not intend to do so, up from 30 percent last year and 18 percent in 2004.

The organization additionally found that display ads make up 41 percent of online revenue, while paid content represents just 18 percent.

While online publications in North America continue to experiment with different business models, paid subscription models don't appear to be gaining much traction here. With the notable exception of The New York Times--which last year began charging visitors for access to certain columnists--popular online publications don't appear to be migrating towards paid models In fact, some, like the Houston Chronicle and Toronto Star, have stopped requiring registration, in an effort to gain more eyeballs even at a cost of demographic information.

OMMA magazine is searching the galaxy for our 2006 Rising Stars. Click here for details on how you can nominate yourself, or that supernova who toils two cubes down.