• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, August 19, 2010

Digital issues of magazines could generate $3 billion in subscription revenues for magazine and newspaper publishers by 2014, according to a consumer survey conducted by consultants with Oliver Wyman on behalf of Next Issue Media, a consortium dedicated to advancing digital publishing. Members include Condé Nast, Hearst, Meredith, News Corp. and Time Inc.

Wyman surveyed 1,800 U.S. consumers, modeling different formats for digital publications, to determine demand and price points for various products.

The study found that the option of subscribing to a digital edition increased the chances of subscribers renewing their subscription, compared to a print-only option (boosting the number of renewals from 55% to 64%). 30% of subscribers would opt for both print and interactive issues in a bundle subscription.

Not all of the numbers are gravy. Subtracting revenue from print subscriptions "cannibalized" by the new interactive products, digital subs could generate an additional $1.3 billion in revenues for publishers.

The $1.3 billion figure is sizable, but it's a long way from making up losses in print advertising revenues over the last couple years. From 2006-2009, total magazine ad revenue (as reported to the Publisher's Information Bureau) tumbled from $24 billion to $19.5 billion, while newspaper revenues tumbled per the Newspaper Association of America. People Won't Charge iPad Owners Twice

Although Apple is still balking at magazine publishers' attempts to offer digital subscriptions via the device, Time Inc. has figured out a way to give People subscribers free access to the magazine's iPad app. They just have to enter their subscription account number or mailing address to unlock the free version. This allows People to avoid charging subscribers additional fees for access to content they've already paid for in print.

Fareed Zakaria Leaves Newsweek For Time

Fareed Zakaria is headed to , marking another major defection from Newsweek, which was recently sold by the Washington Post Co. to Sidney Harman, who made his fortune in the stereo business. Zakaria often writes on international relations and geopolitics, with a special emphasis on the problems of government and society in the developing world, and their implications for developed countries including the United States. He has achieved something approaching ubiquity in the foreign and domestic policy pundit scene over the last decade, making him one of Newsweek's biggest stars -- and now a valuable poach for Time.

His CNN show "Fareed Zakaria GPS" brought him within poaching distance of Time, which is also CNN's content partner; his move to the magazine is accompanied by news that he has also renewed his deal with CNN. Popular Science to Launch New Tech Experience Event Popular Science is creating a new experiential event focusing on high-tech gadgets, according to Mediaweek, beginning with a New York City event scheduled for September 30. The point of the event, called Pop Sci Live (and produced under the umbrella of Pop Sci's Emerging Media Lab) is to allow consumers to try out cutting-edge consumer technologies, likely including 3-D TVs, digital SLR cameras, smartphones and tablet-style computers. If the NYC event is a success, Popular Science will bring similar events to a handful of other major markets in 2011.