Financial Times parent Pearson PLC reported earnings for the first half of the year, and Robert Andrews of PaidContent.org notes that iPad and mobile applications now account for 22 percent of the business newspaper’s Web traffic and 15 percent of its subscriptions.
Andrews writes, “FT added 34 percent more digital subs (up to to 230,000) and 49 percent more free registered users (up to 3.7 million) over the last year, according to parent Pearson’s half-year earnings.
“Pearson says ‘digital subscriptions (are) now the engine of the FT Group’s growth.’
“Digital and services now make up 46 percent of FT Group revenue, content-related revenue (ie. not advertising) makes up 57 percent. Advertising grew “modestly” but is something the FT is happy not to rely on.
“Web visits to Economist.com, jointly owned by Pearson, are up 33 percent in the year to 140 million annually, print circulation is up 3.7 percent.
“FT Group adjusted operating profit is up three percent to £31 ($50.58) million on six percent higher revenue of £203 ($331.25) million.”
Read more here.
