Read on Twitter
A few weeks ago @TheAthletic announced some interesting product updates.
One of them — its Real Time tab containing a mix of rolling news and journalist comments — is v interesting for any org with a reader revenue model.
A few thoughts…
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One of them — its Real Time tab containing a mix of rolling news and journalist comments — is v interesting for any org with a reader revenue model.
A few thoughts…
[thread/9]
For folks who aren’t subscribers, Real Time is a new place (primarily in the app) where The Athletic’s new breaking news service is mixed with ‘real-time snippets from our experts’ ( @AlexKayJelski’s words).
https://twitter.com/theathleticuk/status/1303574103857790976">https://twitter.com/theathlet...
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https://twitter.com/theathleticuk/status/1303574103857790976">https://twitter.com/theathlet...
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It has two sections: one for clubs/leagues you’re following and one for Trending (content across The Athletic).
The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.
Here’s what mine looks like today:
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![It has two sections: one for clubs/leagues you’re following and one for Trending (content across The Athletic). The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.Here’s what mine looks like today:[3/9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjQWQS3XcAAYWKS.jpg "It has two sections: one for clubs/leagues you’re following and one for Trending (content across The Athletic). The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.Here’s what mine looks like today:[3/9]")
![It has two sections: one for clubs/leagues you’re following and one for Trending (content across The Athletic). The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.Here’s what mine looks like today:[3/9]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EjQWQS2WkAU61-2.jpg "It has two sections: one for clubs/leagues you’re following and one for Trending (content across The Athletic). The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.Here’s what mine looks like today:[3/9]")
The feed contains the occasional story but mainly snippets authored by reporters.
Here’s what mine looks like today:
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The snippets are what is interesting: 30-70 mini-reports from its reporters on everything from transfer rumours to team news to fan reactions to stories. Presumably done smartly through The Athletic’s CMS.
Frankly, it’s not dissimilar to Twitter.
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Frankly, it’s not dissimilar to Twitter.
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There’s another aspect to the updates: discussion.
On each one: you have:
- Other Athletic reporters’ comments, called Reactions (which act like Stories)
- Subscribers leaving comments (like a traditional thread)
It’s a new kind of product. Take a look of @PhilHay_
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On each one: you have:
- Other Athletic reporters’ comments, called Reactions (which act like Stories)
- Subscribers leaving comments (like a traditional thread)
It’s a new kind of product. Take a look of @PhilHay_
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I don’t know about The Athletic’s product strategy but I& #39;d wager Real Time is trying to do two things:
1. Make subscribers check in more regularly (=reduce churn)
2. Create an exclusive online environment (=reduce churn)
It’s an engagement play with a lot of $$$ at stake.
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1. Make subscribers check in more regularly (=reduce churn)
2. Create an exclusive online environment (=reduce churn)
It’s an engagement play with a lot of $$$ at stake.
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If you’re a sports fan, you’ll know a lot of discussion happens on Twitter but not without difficulties — fans gatecrashing threads, trolling rivals etc
The Athletic seemingly wants to become an alternative destination for fans (not the worst idea ever IMO)
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The Athletic seemingly wants to become an alternative destination for fans (not the worst idea ever IMO)
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It has the side effect of getting staff to focus attention on *paying* readers as opposed to masses (where I’ve worked, this has been a tough habit to break).
How The Athletic manages that with ongoing growth via social media will be interesting.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/21/bbc-could-restrict-journalists-twitter
[8/9]">https://www.theguardian.com/media/201...
How The Athletic manages that with ongoing growth via social media will be interesting.
https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/dec/21/bbc-could-restrict-journalists-twitter
[8/9]">https://www.theguardian.com/media/201...
I’ve long wondered which outlet would be brave/smart enough to have a reporter answer readers questions rather than write a 600-word piece.
https://twitter.com/benwhitelaw/status/1073607702369263617
This">https://twitter.com/benwhitel... feels the closest any major news org has come to doing that, both in product and in practice.
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https://twitter.com/benwhitelaw/status/1073607702369263617
This">https://twitter.com/benwhitel... feels the closest any major news org has come to doing that, both in product and in practice.
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