NYTimes.com is the most visited newspaper website in the US, and its ad rates have jumped 30% since the beginning of the year. The mother company’s revenues from all digital properties sprang forward 41% in the same period to $190 million.

Internet businesses’ revenue made up for 8.5% of NYT Co. third quarter revenue, a 27% increase since last year’s third quarter. The $410 million acquisition of About.com in 2005 has run smoothly, as ad rates have shot up 30%. TimesSelect also contributed to online growth, by attracting nearly 200,000 online-only users since its launch in 2005.

The company will certainly pursue online acquisitions and diversification. Chief executive of NYT Co. Janet Robinson confirms to writer Matthew Flamm that the company «is looking at a variety of different areas.» The projected sale of 9 TV stations could bring up to $500 million to NYT Co. to help finance further acquisitions.

Other newspaper companies have purchased online websites in an effort to diversify their portfolio, such as Britain's Daily Mail & General Trust which already holds some 15 odd online classified sites, and NewsCorps, which now owns the highly popular social networking site MySpace.com among others.

Industry analysts still believe online revenues won’t suffice to compensate print revenues, but The New York Times Co. has successfully managed its first steps in the digital age.

Source: New York Business