News of the World goes behind paywall

News of the World has become the third News International to put its website behind a paywall.

The subscription barrier went up last night, according to reports, and access to the site will now cost £1 for 24 hours or £1.99 for four weeks.

The site has been redesigned with a cleaner look and new features including an improved video player, a new site for Fabulous magazine and what it's calling a Quick Flick reader for better browsing between articles.

Users can view the homepage of the new NOTW site and the Fabulous magazine website for free, but content beyond this is all behind a paywall. The title is hoping to sign up readers with its exclusive stories, in particular video content, it says. Digital editions of the weekly paper and magazine will also be available on the new sites.

Readers who register will be given an initial £2 of credit to use on two 24-hour passes or one four-week subscription. An iPad app for the title is also planned at a price of £1.19 - cheaper than the 30-day subscription for the Sun's iPad app priced at £4.99.

"The News of the World is an unrivalled destination for scoops. The new website makes the most of this, giving digital customers the chance to read the week’s biggest stories first, along with exclusive video footage and pictures that won't be available anywhere else. This is the News of the World and more, all at a great price," says editor Colin Myler in a release from News International.

In May the Times and Sunday Times launched new websites and introduced a paywall of £1 per day or £2 per week in July after a free trial. No official figures for customer take-up for the sites have been released by News International.

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