Putting subscription slowdowns in context

Precarious economic conditions are making this a tricky year for publishers. Consumers and businesses have reined in their spending against a backdrop of ongoing inflation, employment uncertainty, and an energy crisis in Europe that looks increasingly likely to cause major repercussions globally. It should come as little surprise, therefore, that many publishers have seen slowdowns in subscriber growth over the past 12 months. Converting new subscribers has become increasingly challenging as spending habits shift, and some publishers have seen their subscriber bases leveling off – or contracting – as a result. Slowing subscriber growth cannot be interpreted as direct evidence that subscription models are flawed or running up against their limits, however. It’s no secret that pu