New York — News Corp., which owns publications including the Wall Street Journal and New York Post, confirmed it may join the e-reader fray.
The company said it is exploring investing in an e-book reader, confirming reports that Rupert Murdoch gave the same revelation at a cable industry conference this week.
A spokeswoman said News Corp is in early-stage talks with several companies. “We’re always looking for new ways to deliver our content … we’re looking into new models,” said a News Corp. spokeswoman.
Analyst Chris Chinnock, president of Insight Media, said one new business models newspapers are examining would treat an eBook reader like a cellphone. “They are thinking about … giving away an e-book reader for $50 or even for free if you sign up for the New York Times or Daily News electronic version for six months. It’s kind of like the cellphone model.”
Publisher Hearst is also working on an e-reader device, according to reports.
