Would you pay for a subscription?

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I'd for sure pay 15-20 a year if it came with a yearbook!

Apr 16 2014 1:04PM

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immasI tend to ignore sites I have to pay for. It seems there was an increase in ads this year though, and that's why adblocker came in handy. It's beyond annoying when the same ads play infront of everything.
In short- possibly. It'd really depend on use and cost.

Did any of the options above seem palatable?

We wouldn't charge on the baseline, there will always be a free option (and personally I think we could ignore this sub stuff and stay free, but people really seem to hate ads).

Apr 16 2014 1:21PM

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ModMommy

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Mr.BishopDid any of the options above seem palatable?

We wouldn't charge on the baseline, there will always be a free option (and personally I think we could ignore this sub stuff and stay free, but people really seem to hate ads).

Yeah! I was on my phone and the poll wasn't loading- but the options you have seems rather fair, especially the one w/ the yearbook.

Apr 16 2014 2:26PM

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Mr.BishopDid any of the options above seem palatable?

We wouldn't charge on the baseline, there will always be a free option (and personally I think we could ignore this sub stuff and stay free, but people really seem to hate ads).

To be honest, the ads don't bother me enough for me to pay for a subscription of just no ads.

However, with a yearbook included I think a lot more people will buy into that because if they want to buy a yearbook, might as well pay a bit extra for some premium stuff (kinda like those skate companies who say if you buy a deck for full price, we'll give you a discount on trucks and wheels/free stuff).

I don't think advertisers would be happy to see that you can pay to have no ads on the site though

Apr 16 2014 2:31PM

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.AR6rider.

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I voted for option one.

Apr 16 2014 2:53PM

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CaptainObvious.

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.AR6rider.I voted for option one.

You honest dick.

Apr 16 2014 3:18PM

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CaptainDickbuttYou honest dick.

Honesty is the most important thing!

Apr 16 2014 3:27PM

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Holte

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What is "premium content"?

And do you know the percentage of users using an ad blocker?

Apr 16 2014 4:05PM

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HolteWhat is "premium content"?

And do you know the percentage of users using an ad blocker?

Yeah its like 22% or something. We had it down to 16% for a bit when we made appeals, but it went back up pretty quick.

Premium content could be something like really good news articles, exclusive event coverage, or extra special video stuff. If people are willing to pay a solid sub fee, we could pass this on and create content with it. That sort of an idea.

Its like how the NYT works - certain sections that are really involved journalism can only be viewed if you're paying.

Apr 16 2014 4:43PM

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Kretzschmar

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1000 x 15 = $15,000 sorry bud.

Apr 16 2014 6:10PM

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eheath

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This.

I think you should implement a system where members can pay for a subscription and see how many people actually choose to pay $10 a month for NS and how many just decide to keep ads. I for one am fine with ads.

Apr 16 2014 6:21PM

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Krotch1000 x 15 = $15,000 sorry bud.

Its also $15 per month. $15 per year for the top end subscription would absolutely not even come close to offsetting the ad rev generated by a person.

I also agree that it would be curious to see how many people say they're into it vs. how many would actually do it. I'm also one who is fine with ads if I get free sweet content.

I think what would get really interesting is if we could create an entire super premium content arm out of this. There's a real opportunity there if you ask me.

Apr 16 2014 6:35PM

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Also please note - this isn't even being considered right now, but its been suggested enough times I wanted to bring up the discussion.

Apr 16 2014 6:36PM

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Mr.BishopIts also $15 per month. $15 per year for the top end subscription would absolutely not even come close to offsetting the ad rev generated by a person.

I also agree that it would be curious to see how many people say they're into it vs. how many would actually do it. I'm also one who is fine with ads if I get free sweet content.

I think what would get really interesting is if we could create an entire super premium content arm out of this. There's a real opportunity there if you ask me.

Nevermind, 15 a month is not feasible at all for me. I'm fine with ads as is though.

Apr 16 2014 6:47PM

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.Rybak.

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Please don't add some sort of special subscription. I would end up paying for it even though i can't afford it.

Apr 16 2014 8:50PM

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I guess it really comes down to what you'd get. Like, no ads is one thing, but premium content can be worth a lot. You'd basically have to have a free version of the site (basically what it is now), and then with a subscription you'd get no ads, and some bonus content (the better the bonus content the more I'd pay). I'd have no problem paying like $10-$15 a month if the bonus content is good enough (not JUST a separate forum or something...although that'd be fun), but otherwise I'd just deal with ads.

Basically, I wouldn't pay to just be ad free, it would come down to what the bonus content is. Which is kinda the hard part...like no one is going to want to release an edit or something just to subscribers, and it's not worth paying to just see an edit a day early. Some bonus content ideas could be exclusive access to edits/movies (maybe smaller film companies would release the digital copy to subs), exclusive "lower rules" forum (less moderating, makes sense since the people paying for the site will care more about the content), priority picks for mod/purple people additions, change name color (although the color options are kinda running out), higher quality videos/photos (this may mean non subs would only get 720p video and lower res pictures -- not so bad that it's not watchable/degrades the photo, but still lower than subs), discounts in store (maybe even discounts with other partnered stores live evo). Just a few ideas, there's probably a bunch more that could be added, substituted in, whatever.

Apr 16 2014 9:09PM

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FuckAllOfYou

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Fuck that.
mostly because if there's a 'premium content' demographic, that will keep growing and the gap between the plebs and the payers will increase. Plus, not everyone can pay... I would just hope the free version stays genuine and doesn't begin a slow descent into utter shit, like other things

I'm fine with ads. I don't use adblock. personally, the ads are part of the site to me... the pre-vid ads get annoying but i deal with it.

fight the powerrrrr

Apr 16 2014 10:05PM

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El_Barto.

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No, what a stupid idea. OP is stupid

Apr 16 2014 10:32PM

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BWalmerI guess it really comes down to what you'd get. Like, no ads is one thing, but premium content can be worth a lot. You'd basically have to have a free version of the site (basically what it is now), and then with a subscription you'd get no ads, and some bonus content (the better the bonus content the more I'd pay). I'd have no problem paying like $10-$15 a month if the bonus content is good enough (not JUST a separate forum or something...although that'd be fun), but otherwise I'd just deal with ads.

Basically, I wouldn't pay to just be ad free, it would come down to what the bonus content is. Which is kinda the hard part...like no one is going to want to release an edit or something just to subscribers, and it's not worth paying to just see an edit a day early. Some bonus content ideas could be exclusive access to edits/movies (maybe smaller film companies would release the digital copy to subs), exclusive "lower rules" forum (less moderating, makes sense since the people paying for the site will care more about the content), priority picks for mod/purple people additions, change name color (although the color options are kinda running out), higher quality videos/photos (this may mean non subs would only get 720p video and lower res pictures -- not so bad that it's not watchable/degrades the photo, but still lower than subs), discounts in store (maybe even discounts with other partnered stores live evo). Just a few ideas, there's probably a bunch more that could be added, substituted in, whatever.

Yeah so basically (correct me if I'm wrong) what you're saying is that its almost less about the ads than it would be about the super awesome exclusive/bonus shit? You would pay to unlock awesome stuff on the site, vs simply being focused on getting rid of ads?

MEDSKI_Fuck that.
mostly because if there's a 'premium content' demographic, that will keep growing and the gap between the plebs and the payers will increase. Plus, not everyone can pay... I would just hope the free version stays genuine and doesn't begin a slow descent into utter shit, like other things

I'm fine with ads. I don't use adblock. personally, the ads are part of the site to me... the pre-vid ads get annoying but i deal with it.

Dude don't get me wrong here. I personally think we should all be perfectly happy with a free, balanced, ad-supported model. Problem is, some people are using AdBlock, and others are requesting something different. I'm only opening the conversation too - and trust me, we won't get rid of a totally awesome free Newschoolers. Never. Ever.

Honestly even if we did this I'd be surprised if even 5% of people actually put their money where their mouth is... of course dependant on what we offer.

Apr 16 2014 10:34PM

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Mr.BishopYeah so basically (correct me if I'm wrong) what you're saying is that its almost less about the ads than it would be about the super awesome exclusive/bonus shit? You would pay to unlock awesome stuff on the site, vs simply being focused on getting rid of ads?

Yup, pretty much. I don't care about ads (as I've stated before), but awesome extras are worth paying. I hate to use it as an example, however it is the most successful model on the internet, but look at porn...even though there's hundreds of thousands of site with free porn, people are still willing to pay $20+ a month to watch porn. They're willing to pay for something they could get for free because they want a high quality product that's there regularly. You just have to find the right thing to get people to want to pay for it.

Apr 16 2014 10:54PM

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FuckAllOfYou

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Mr.BishopDude don't get me wrong here. I personally think we should all be perfectly happy with a free, balanced, ad-supported model. Problem is, some people are using AdBlock, and others are requesting something different. I'm only opening the conversation too - and trust me, we won't get rid of a totally awesome free Newschoolers. Never. Ever.

Honestly even if we did this I'd be surprised if even 5% of people actually put their money where their mouth is... of course dependant on what we offer.

Right, i forgot adblock was an issue that was truly causing a problem. I see your point, I just want to speak for those who can't or won't access the premium content (even as ambiguous as that is now)

Apr 16 2014 11:29PM

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pornhub, ads, but who's paying for those ads...the sub sites, so who's making the real money.

Like I said, I didn't want to use it as an example because it's not really the same , but it was the best example I could come up with at the time.

Apr 16 2014 11:51PM

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ModMommy

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nutz.Nevermind, 15 a month is not feasible at all for me. I'm fine with ads as is though.

I really don't mind the ads enough to pay $15 a month.

Apr 17 2014 12:49AM

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.Hugo.

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I guarantee most of those people that voted for the bottom option don't realize its 15/month, not 15 a year...

Apr 17 2014 1:39AM

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I'm personally fine with the ads, but I would pay the $15 for no ads, yearbook and stickers and shit. But it should be like $20

And there should NOT be premium content you can pay for. That's like pressuring people to pay for NS to be better, they shouldn't have to pay

Apr 17 2014 1:53AM

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1337

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$15/month doesn't work, but I think something like $100 a year might? is that enough to offset ads?

Honestly, I'd pay for a yearly subscription if it came with a yearbook deal, other swag, good content, and still keep ads going too. The only annoying ones are occasional pop-ups, I don't notice the banner ads anymore

Apr 17 2014 10:52AM

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BWalmerYup, pretty much. I don't care about ads (as I've stated before), but awesome extras are worth paying. I hate to use it as an example, however it is the most successful model on the internet, but look at porn...even though there's hundreds of thousands of site with free porn, people are still willing to pay $20+ a month to watch porn. They're willing to pay for something they could get for free because they want a high quality product that's there regularly. You just have to find the right thing to get people to want to pay for it.

You just reached me on another level

Also yeah I agree with Jamie, 15 a month is 180 a year, Idunno that's just kind of a lot to me, and 100 sounds a bit easier to bite on.

Apr 17 2014 11:34AM

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nutz.You just reached me on another level

Also yeah I agree with Jamie, 15 a month is 180 a year, Idunno that's just kind of a lot to me, and 100 sounds a bit easier to bite on.

Not that, that isn't a reasonable price. But there is no way in hell I'm paying $100 a year

Apr 17 2014 11:49AM

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-MK-Not that, that isn't a reasonable price. But there is no way in hell I'm paying $100 a year

So don't...that's kinda the point. Ideally, everything remains the same as it is now for the free version, the subs only get extra content. If you don't want to pay for extra content, you don't deserve extra content.

Apr 17 2014 11:54AM

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BWalmerYup, pretty much. I don't care about ads (as I've stated before), but awesome extras are worth paying. I hate to use it as an example, however it is the most successful model on the internet, but look at porn...even though there's hundreds of thousands of site with free porn, people are still willing to pay $20+ a month to watch porn. They're willing to pay for something they could get for free because they want a high quality product that's there regularly. You just have to find the right thing to get people to want to pay for it.

That is actually a brilliant point.

Apr 17 2014 12:27PM

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BWalmerSo don't...that's kinda the point. Ideally, everything remains the same as it is now for the free version, the subs only get extra content. If you don't want to pay for extra content, you don't deserve extra content.

But I feel it would be unfair to make everyone who doesn't want to pay, feel like they should pay so they aren't missing out on what other members are getting. I'm all for the Adblock, but not really for the extra content

Apr 17 2014 12:30PM

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Turner.

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Mr.BishopDude don't get me wrong here. I personally think we should all be perfectly happy with a free, balanced, ad-supported model. Problem is, some people are using AdBlock, and others are requesting something different. I'm only opening the conversation too - and trust me, we won't get rid of a totally awesome free Newschoolers. Never. Ever.

Good. Awesome. Don't. Let's never talk about this again.

-MK-And there should NOT be premium content you can pay for. That's like pressuring people to pay for NS to be better, they shouldn't have to pay

Exactly, what are we, some kind of platinum-card dick-suck rewards program? This is newschoolers, man. I understand that generating revenue is the biggest pain in the ass ever, but there's a difference between finding new sources of income and ruining what is, in my opinion, the greatest thing that has ever been created on the internet.

-MK-But I feel it would be unfair to make everyone who doesn't want to pay, feel like they should pay so they aren't missing out on what other members are getting. I'm all for the Adblock, but not really for the extra content

Again, I agree with this. Imagine, for example: some kid comes on NS for the first time, cause he heard about it from some other guys at his local hill. He wants to see the new, best shit out there but he can't because he needs to get his parents' credit card to unlock it. Maybe he's lucky and they bite, but more likely than not they say sorry son, we're not paying for some website we've never heard of. So the kid is relegated to some second class, and can't fully share in the community. "Ehh, whatever, this site seems a little too elitist. I wish I could see everything they have to offer. Guess not, I'm out of here."

I'm sorry, this post is a little reactionary and it brings up points that have been covered already (perhaps even more eloquently), but this is my immediate gut feeling. Fuck that shit. Fuck paying for NS. Fuck "premium content". That sounds like some sellout bullshit to me. I realize I'm not being helpful and I'm sorry for that. This just strikes me as the wrong way of going about things. Do I have a solution? No. Definitely not. And for that reason, I don't really have the right to get so upset. I wish there were a compromise, but paid subscriptions for "premium content," a few perks and no ads sounds like the quickest way to ruin a good thing.

Apr 17 2014 12:55PM

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.Hugo.

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-MK-But I feel it would be unfair to make everyone who doesn't want to pay, feel like they should pay so they aren't missing out on what other members are getting. I'm all for the Adblock, but not really for the extra content

I mean, it's not much different than donators and non-donators now. Donators pay, and get extra content

Apr 17 2014 12:59PM

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John18_6

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Personally, it's only the video ads that I have any conflicts with. Banners are just fine in my opinion. $4-$5 per month for just banners?

Apr 17 2014 1:01PM

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-MK-But I feel it would be unfair to make everyone who doesn't want to pay, feel like they should pay so they aren't missing out on what other members are getting. I'm all for the Adblock, but not really for the extra content

That's like saying it's unfair for me to eat lobster at my house while you eat canned tuna at yours because I can afford lobster and you can't...the internet isn't communism...

Apr 17 2014 1:05PM

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.Hugo.I mean, it's not much different than donators and non-donators now. Donators pay, and get extra content

They get a money sign and two forums that barely get used...

BWalmerThat's like saying it's unfair for me to eat lobster at my house while you eat canned tuna at yours because I can afford lobster and you can't...the internet isn't communism...

Yes, but this is a skiing community. It's amazing how close, and awesome the community is. It's not fair to leave the people who can't afford extra content behind, with the bummer sight.
Also, atleast 50% of NS users are in college, and cannot afford $100 a year just for extra content. If this becomes a thing, I can see ns slowly becoming a shit website all about money.

Apr 17 2014 1:10PM

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NinetyFour

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Paying to have ads completely disappear would seem weird to me. I like seeing brands advertising on the website, often they're posting banners with sales and stuff, which I'm really down with. It's nice it when I don't have to go looking for cheaper shit. Spammier ads like novelty tees and stuff I could really care less for but they don't bother me either.

As far as premium content goes, I'm personally not a fan. Ha, I don't think I'll ever be putting stuff out at a level that would be considered premium but if I we're, and was uploading it here, I would want it to reach a broader audience, not restricting it to payers.

Apr 17 2014 4:26PM

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