Good morning,
Before I begin, I’d like to give you all a quick status update on how we’re doing as a blog.
Last year was a year of tremendous growth, and our growth is only continuing, with January already having been an exceptional month.
In the course of a year we shot up 213.8% in total subscribers, and since we added the paid tier we’ve grown about 246.4% in paid subscribers. We really are grateful to all of you who have pledged to support us, especially those of you who pledged money before there was even a paid tier. We get just under a million web impressions on Google per month and are a top result for searches for “Catholic movies” and “Catholic movie reviews”.
Therefore, in an effort to continue this momentum, we are making a big decision in regard to our list of “100 Movies Every Catholic Should See”.
Starting this weekend, posts from the list itself will require our paid tier to view. All other posts that have been free will remain free, especially posts on our new list of “100 More Movies”. However, the list itself (linked below) will remain free to view: it’s just the posts themselves that will be paywalled.
Again, grateful for all of your support and can’t wait to show you what we have in store this year!
I'm sorry to see this move. I think that this blog has a real evangelization component that a paywall will cut off. If a non-Catholic is curious about what Catholics can appreciate in some of these movies then the paywall will stop them short. It also removes good information from those who can't afford it.
Disappointed as well.
I can't speak to what the "goals" or "telos" of the list was from the beginning. But it seems that it's been a useful conversation piece, evangelization tool, and a great resource for parents (as well as converts or people not familiar with classic film). The discerning viewer wanting to read the merits of a film on your list will now have to pay to read about it?
I obviously wish you guys the best, but I do think your podcast would be a better avenue towards finding income with potential sponsorships or maybe "paywalling" some of those. The various blog posts, weekly watches, or Op-Ed's etc. not associated with the list I understood (but also didn't love) being paywalled as a way to help supplement some income for some of your contributors on the list. I saw you wanted to do a book. I for sure would buy it! A one time buy I could do. But a subscription is not something I am able to (or willing to) purchase (I own no prime, no streaming services and no music subscriptions. I am against monthly entertainment subscription fees. I don't expect others to do the same. It's just my personal choice.) And since now I feel that you all are treating your readers more as potential consumers than as fellow-film fans, Catholics, or insightful critics, I feel obligated as a weekly reader to say I think this is a terrible mistake.
This move though feels counter-intuitive and the opposite of helpful for those looking for resources on film from Catholics. I frequently have pointed people (Catholics and Non-Catholics) alike to this list and shared some of the posts which have sparked meaningful conversations. Those will end because of the paywall.
I bear you no ill will but I still feel it is worth speaking up and saying I think this is a mistake. Your engagement was High because your posts are engaging and your polls sparked much interest even in non-regular readers. Hiding them will not make it more so.
Best to you all! I'll remain subscribed on the free version.