Earlier this week, Le Devoir has reported its profitability for the third consecutive year. It’s the fifth year in the last seven that the French-language newspaper has been in the black, which the independent says is a remarkable feat in these turbulent times, per a report by Media in Canada.
How have they succeeded while advertising models have collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic? Two areas. The first: revenue from subscriptions. The second: donations.
Le Devoir’s general manager, Brian Myles, says it’s crucial for his publication to not be entirely dependent on advertising, and that free content will not be a sustainable model for media in the long term.
“We do not believe in a world where you can finance your activities by advertising. You need subscribers in the mix,” Myles says. So, our product is tailored for the needs of the audience – and the choices we make are first and foremost for the readers.”
You can read the full piece here.