New York Times to charge for global website access from 28 March

The New York Times started charging for access to its website in Canada on Thursday ahead of a global rollout on 28 March, with monthly subscriptions charged at between $15 (£9.3) and $35. The paper has settled on allowing users access to 20 articles for free each month – including slideshows and videos – before users will be asked to become digital subscribers. The NYT, which has the most-read newspaper site in the world, is launching in Canada first to "fine tune" the customer experience ahead of the global rollout. There will be three charging options for four weeks' access, with the cheapest at $15 for the NYT website and its smartphone app; $20 for the website and the tablet app; and $35 for all devices. An introductory offer will be unveiled on 28 March. However, the company said that the Top News section of its website will remain free on its smartphone and tablet applications. In addition users who access New York Times articles from searches, blogs and social media will be able to read those individual articles even if they have reached their monthly reading limit. Customers who subscribe for home delivery of the paper will receive free unlimited access to digital content. The NYT first floated plans to develop a metered-access payment system over a year ago but has been cautious in developing a system that will not drive away its huge amount of online readers. "Today marks a significant transition for the Times, an important day in our 159-year history of evolution and reinvention," said Arthur Sulzberger, chairman of the New York Times Company. "Our decision to begin charging for digital access will result in another source of revenue, strengthening our ability to continue to invest in the journalism and digital innovation on which our readers have come to depend." • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".