'Pitchfork' Owner Condé Nast Is Putting All Its Sites Behind Paywalls
The changes are expected to be in effect by the end of this year

Published Jan 23, 2019
American media publisher Condé Nast, who owns titles including The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Wired and Pitchfork, is set to move all of its titles behind paywalls by the end of 2019.As the Wall Street Journal reports, the media company plans to build digital subscription business around publications such as Vogue, GQ, Bon Appétit and Glamour. It is not clear when the paywalls will be implemented or how they will operate. So far, no plans have been announced specific to Pitchfork as of press time.
In an email shared with Fashionista, Condé Nast CEO Bob Sauerberg explained that the paywalls would likely differ from site to site.
"The paywalls at each title will not be a one-size fits all model. Just as we did for each of the brands currently behind paywalls, we will let consumer demand and engagement dictate how each brand develops their paid content strategy," Sauerberg wrote. "Some brands may have specific content that will be gated, and some will have a wider metered paywall. Every brand is distinct, and every brand's paywall will be its own distinct product."
WSJ reports that Condé Nast lost $120 million USD in 2017, but the company is looking to return to profitability by 2020.
Founded in 1995, Pitchfork was purchased by Condé Nast in October 2015. Founder/editor-in-chief Ryan Schreiber announced he was leaving the publication earlier this month.