Amazon wants to deliver your newspaper.
The Washington Post launched a new app on Thursday, initially available exclusively on Amazon’s Fire tablets, that gives readers two daily editions – morning and evening – plus breaking news updates in between.
It is the first collaboration between the companies since the Post was bought last year by Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s chief executive. An ereader version of the paper is already available on Kindle devices.
The new offering aims to expand the Post’s national and international audience at a time when it, like other newspapers, is shedding print subscribers and print advertising revenues as readers shift to digital editions. The app will initially carry sponsorship from Sprint and Ford’s Lincoln marque.
“With 42m monthly readers and growing this is another step forward in our effort to serve an even larger national and global audience,” said Fred Ryan, publisher of the Washington Post.
Mr Ryan, whom Mr Bezos tapped in September, was a founder of the digital news site Politico. At the time, he told the FT he intended to “use the opportunities that technology presents to expand our reach.”
Just how big a boost the paper will get is unclear, however. Amazon does not release sales data for Fire devices, but Post executives said the app would reach “tens of millions of people.” Apple’s iPad is used by more than half of US tablet owners, according to eMarketer.
Overall tablet sales in the US have been stalling, with units sold up just 1 per cent in the year through November 1, according to consumer research group NPD. Gartner predicts that tablets will represent less than 10 per cent of all device sales this year.
For Amazon, the initial exclusivity of Post content may be appealing to consumers looking to choose a tablet. However, the app will be available for purchase on Apple and Android devices next year.
The app will be free to Fire customers for the next six months. It will come pre-loaded on new Fire devices and will be available as a software update for existing owners. Following the initial free period, it will cost $1 for another six months. After that there will be a monthly fee.
Mr Bezos has been channelling money into the Post since he bought it for $250m in 2013. More than 60 people have been hired in the newsroom – some to replace those who have left – and the paper has been expanding its digital and international initiatives.