I'm seeing quite a few posts that are down on The Times for putting all of their content behind a paywall, and the subsequent reports that they've lost 90% or more of their readership. All this activity in one direction is exciting my contrary nature. 

Somebody has to take this hit for news content to have value again. Imagine if they could withstand this huge decrease, then start growing, a little bit at a time, toward their former numbers. If they experience even two consecutive months of growth they'll be able to reposition as the 'most valued news source' around. They could tout exponential increases in readership that the competition couldn't claim. 

I'm not sure that I would have made the same choice if I were in their shoes, and if they don't reach a stable income/expenditure/growth they'll continue to hear it from the more popular 'let content be free' contingent. If this works, however, it could serve as a model for other news outlets gone-digital press to follow. 

more details with numbers and such over here