Newsday is a Long Island newspaper. Some people bought it for $650 million and put it behind a pay wall. Three months later, they’ve got 35 subscribers. Yes, 35.

From the Observer:

“I heard you say 35 people,” he said, from Newsday’s auditorium in Melville. “Is that number correct?”

Mr. Jimenez nodded.

Hellville, indeed.

The web site redesign and relaunch cost the Dolans $4 million, according to Mr. Jimenez. With those 35 people, they’ve grossed about $9,000.

In that time, without question, web traffic has begun to plummet, and, certainly, advertising will follow as well.

Of course if you have a newspaper subscription you are allowed free access, and anyone who has Optimum Cable, which is owned by the same people, also gets in for free.

“We’re the freebie newsletter that comes with your HBO,” one reporter said.

After Three Months, Only 35 Subscriptions for Newsday’s Web Site [Observer]

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