Simon Targett, editor of FT.com, made the following comments on next week's initiatives: "Next week is a great opportunity for visitors to experience the many sides to FT.com, from breaking news and our growing portfolio of audio and video content, to the in-depth comment and analysis the FT does so well."

FT.com currently has 80 000 subscribers, who pay either 75 or 200 pounds sterling each year, which gives them access to the full range of the paper's online content as well as its archives, going back five years. Those paying the 200 pounds sterling fee additionally gain access to 500 global press sources and financial information for some 18,000 companies worldwide.

As regards other major UK papers, The Independent offers a subscription for its archives and its columnists, The Guardian's web content is free, the paper only charges for crosswords. The Daily Telegraph and The Times also offer free web content, and also operate paid for crossword clubs.

Source: Media Guardian (registration required)