Apple CEO Steve Jobs at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference in California.
TheAustralian.com.au
RUPERT Murdoch's early bet with applications for the iPad seems to have paid off, with almost 20,000 subscribers paying to download his newspapers.
This includes 4500 subscriptions for The Australian's $4.99-a-month app, launched last Thursday on the eve of the iPad's Australian release.
Mr Murdoch today revealed detailed customer numbers for the first time at the Wall Street Journal's D: All Things Digital conference in California.
Over the weekend The Times in Britain did 5000 downloads, priced at 9.99 pounds a month.
Mr Murdoch's comments came as he introduced the iPad's creator, Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who rejected the assumption that people would not pay for online content.
"I don't want to see us descend into a nation of bloggers…I think we need editorial oversight now more than ever," he said.
"Anything we can do to help newspapers find new ways of expression that will help them get paid, I am all for.
"What we have to do is figure out a way to get people to start paying for this hard-earned content."
He said Apple and its iPad could help if media companies "price (content) aggressively and go for volume".
Mr Murdoch also reported that The Wall Street Journal had 10,000 paying subscribers for its application, which costs $US17.29 a month for full access, although the app is curently free for existing subscribers to the Journal's products.
In total the Journal has 64,000 users who browse WSJ on Apple's iPad.
Mr Murdoch said the internet and technology was not the enemy, but complementary platforms that media owners could take advantage of.
"There is no great secret here: in response to sceptics who say technology is killing the news business, I believe technology is ushering in a new golden age for those willing to embrace it.
"(It's) giving us new ways to showcase our strengths, enhance our coverage and encourage interactivity."
He said sales figures backed up his view.
"This year The Wall Street Journal was the only one of the top 25 American newspapers to grow in average weekday circulation.
"Much of that growth comes from paying, online subscribers - not counting over 10,000 iPad paid subscribers.
"And now over the past weekend 5000 paid iPad subscribers at the London Times and 4500 in Australia."
The Australian deputy CEO Nick Leeder said he was pleased with the initial numbers but conceded the price was likely to increase in a few months as enhancements were made.
"The intention is to take it (price) up not down. We are thinking of adding more content and improving it as we go along."
Some customers had criticised The Australian selling advertisements despite charging for the iPad application, but Mr Leeder said the combination was here to stay.
"We do it in print so digital will be no different."
The Australian's iPad application has sold advertising to blue chip clients such as Optus, Commonwealth Bank, Emirates and IBM.
In his introduction Mr Murdoch said: "Eight years ago at (the first D conference) Steve Jobs told us how the technology creators and the content creators didn't understand each other. He was absolutely right.
"Steve, I doubt you will say the same tonight."
Globally Apple has sold more than 2 million iPads in less than 60 days. The company has refused to provide local sales numbers but most Apple stores and retail outlets quickly sold out when it launched.
