Apple and Time Inc. Reach Deal to Allow Print Subscribers Free iPad Access

101613 time si fortune

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple and Time Inc. have finally reached a deal to allow subscribers to the print editions of Time's major magazines to access the iPad versions of those magazines free of charge. The deal breaks a months-long impasse that initially focused on paid subscription models but has also included accommodations for print subscribers. The two companies had reached an agreement for People last August, but Time's other titles have remained outside of that agreement until now.

Starting Monday, subscribers to Sports Illustrated, Time and Fortune magazines will be able to access the iPad editions via the apps, which will be able to authenticate them as subscribers. Time Inc.'s People magazine already had such an arrangement, but readers of most publications have had to pay separately for the iPad version regardless of their subscriber status.

According to the report, Time and Apple remain in disagreement over plans to offer digital subscriptions to iPad editions. Apple has of course rolled out an in app subscription program in which it collects 30% of all subscription revenue and gives subscribers direct control over whether their information is shared with publishers, and while several newspapers have begun offering content under the program, magazines have been more reluctant to do so.

Time Inc. and other major publishers have yet to agree with Apple on terms for selling subscriptions to their iPad editions, the next step beyond making them available to existing print subscribers. Talks are hung up on Apple's resistance to sharing information with publishers about their iPad customers, which publishers say is critical to applying the "TV everywhere" model to magazines.

In the absence of subscription plans, most users are stuck with purchasing single issues of their magazines for the iPad, a much more expensive proposition that has led to weak sales figures for most publications.

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Neutral)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

ios 26 1 slide to stop

iOS 26.1 Brings Back 2007 Feature in New Way

Friday October 31, 2025 1:40 pm PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a small but helpful change for iPhones, and it could prevent you from running late to something important. Specifically, when an alarm goes off in the Clock app, there is a new "slide to stop" control on the screen for turning off the alarm. On previous iOS 26 versions, there is simply a large "stop" button, which could be accidentally tapped. The new ...
iOS 26

6 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 26.1

Wednesday October 29, 2025 4:22 am PDT by
Apple is about to drop iOS 26.1, the first major point release since iOS 26 was rolled out in September, and there are at least six notable changes and improvements to look forward to. We've rounded them up below. Apple has already provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate version of iOS 26.1, which means Apple will likely roll out the update to all compatible...
M5 MacBook Pro

Waiting for New Macs? Apple Just Shared Bad News

Friday October 31, 2025 7:32 am PDT by
Apple has just given a strong indication that it will not be releasing any additional new Macs for the remainder of the year. Apple's CFO Kevan Parekh dropped the hint during the company's earnings call on Thursday:On Mac, keep in mind, we expect to face a very difficult compare against the M4 MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac launches in the year-ago quarter.Parekh essentially gave a heads up ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.1 Coming Soon: New Features for Your iPhone and Release Date

Monday October 27, 2025 7:55 am PDT by
The upcoming iOS 26.1 update includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones, including a toggle for changing the appearance of the Liquid Glass design, "slide to stop" for alarms in the Clock app, and more. Below, we outline key details about iOS 26.1. Release Date Given that Apple has yet to seed an iOS 26.1 Release Candidate, which is typically the final beta version, the...
iPhone 17 Pro Cosmic Orange

8 Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 18 Pro

Thursday October 30, 2025 4:42 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models at the same time, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 18 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. One thing worth...
maxresdefault

Apple TV 4K Could Still Launch Before 2025 Ends: All the Rumored Features

Monday October 27, 2025 4:51 pm PDT by
Apple is designing an updated version of the Apple TV 4K, and rumors suggest that it could come out sometime in the next couple of months. We're not expecting a major overhaul with design changes, but even a simple chip upgrade will bring major improvements to Apple's set-top box. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. We've rounded up all the latest Apple TV rumors. ...
Coffee Burgundy and Purple iPhone 18 Pro Mock 1

Leaker Outlines Potential New Colors for iPhone 18 Pro

Friday October 31, 2025 8:28 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 18 Pro models could be available in new rich and warm color option, according to a known leaker. The Weibo user known as "Instant Digital" today suggested that next-year's iPhone 18 Pro models will be available in at least one of the following color options: Coffee, purple, and burgundy. The iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 14, and iPhone 14 Pro were all available in ...
ipad mini 7 feature blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Wednesday October 29, 2025 7:13 am PDT by
Rumors are stoking excitement for the next-generation iPad mini that Apple is reportedly close to launching. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over a year ago? Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to...
Apple Foldable Thumb

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Friday October 31, 2025 8:52 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that have been leaked about Apple's foldable iPhone so far. Ove...

Top Rated Comments

mram Avatar
189 months ago
Why want the print anyway?

Why would anyone want to have both the print and digital editions? Buy either the print or the iPad edition.... If you want the iPad edition, but have print already, cancel your print subscription. I don't even have an iPad, never will because of the radiation, but it's not to hard to make choices, now is it?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wrenhunter Avatar
189 months ago
Exactly what I was thinking.
How is this such a big deal when existing customers of other print publications are able to view the iPad equivalents free of charge?

Most US magazines do NOT do this (in the very post you commented on, minimac noted that Wired doesn't, either -- and they're wired!). And it's not quite as simple as "entering credentials in an app", since many print subscribers have no online relationship with the publisher.

A magazine could create an app that mirrors the "manage your account" of their websites, where you enter your mailing address or account number. Maybe they think consumers would prefer to use a central (Apple store) account. I would.

Both sides are being greedy, but I think Apple is a bit worse -- they want a 30% cut *and* the subscriber relationship, which often leads to more income via add-on sales. If publishers have to pay 30%, they should get the customer details.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
189 months ago
this is awesome. Have already had this ability on my Xoom for quite some time with Sports Illustrated. Glad Apple caught up.

LOL! What's "quite some time"? A Month? Doubt it.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Popeye206 Avatar
189 months ago
The fact that needed to be any extensive negotiation speaks volumes. Publishers should be allowed to this, without ANY money-grubbing interference from Apple. This is an issue between the subscriber and the publisher - Apple needs to butt out.

LOL! Obviously we don't know the details of what really went on, and it's obvious that Apple is adjusting to help expand the market.

Just because the rules are being defined in this new digital world, doesn't mean everyone is evil. I'm sure everyone is trying to protect their turf and bottom line... we're getting what the market wants.

But of course, again... if you look at it logically from a business side, your constant Apple bashing doesn't hold up.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
0087215 Avatar
189 months ago
Why would anyone want to have both the print and digital editions? Buy either the print or the iPad edition.... If you want the iPad edition, but have print already, cancel your print subscription. I don't even have an iPad, never will because of the radiation, but it's not to hard to make choices, now is it?

Because of the radiation? :) Haha, what do you mean?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dwd3885 Avatar
189 months ago
this is awesome. Have already had this ability on my Xoom for quite some time with Sports Illustrated. Glad Apple caught up.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)