Hibs observer analysis

[JimBHibees]

Thought this was a good and balanced analysis of the club post internal review statement

https://www.hibsobserver.co.uk/tactics/24264344.scaling-hibs-rebuild-just-much-change-coming/

Think this is behind pay wall. Here is a YouTube link also

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5FNlwFmtYck

[Forza Fred]

Cannae get any of the links to work

[nonshinyfinish]

Cannae get any of the links to work

https://www.hibsobserver.co.uk/tactics/24264344.scaling-hibs-rebuild-just-much-change-coming/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FNlwFmtYck

[Carheenlea]

Cannae get any of the links to work

A (small) subscription is required to access the written content.

The You Tube broadcasts are freely available I think.

[SHODAN]

If there's one way to guarantee that print media won't be read it's putting it behind a paywall.

[Carheenlea]

If there's one way to guarantee that print media won't be read it's putting it behind a paywall.

Given how little coverage Hibs get in the media, and particularly from a Hibs supporters perspective, it’s money well spent for me.

[Just Alf]

Given how little coverage Hibs get in the media, and particularly from a Hibs supporters perspective, it’s money well spent for me.Agree .. big time :-)

[malcolm]

If there's one way to guarantee that print media won't be read it's putting it behind a paywall.

I guess nowadays that should be digitally presented written media. 😉

[JohnM1875]

The written articles are class and go into good depth. Not a fan of the YouTube stuff though. Too much waffling and repeating themselves. Get its new to them though so probably a learning curve.

Bargain price if you want to read their stuff though.

[JimBHibees]

Given how little coverage Hibs get in the media, and particularly from a Hibs supporters perspective, it’s money well spent for me.

Definitely is.

[Unseen work]

Agree with others, the content is really good and loads of information.

Highly reccomend.

[04Sauzee]

I enjoy the content

[Carheenlea]

Agree with others, the content is really good and loads of information.

Highly reccomend.


I enjoy the content

Hopefully the link to circumnavigate the content for free is deleted.

Pretty poor patter doing that to fellow Hibs supporters in my opinion and says a lot about the kind of people prepared to do so.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Hopefully the link to circumnavigate the content for free is deleted.

Pretty poor patter doing that to fellow Hibs supporters in my opinion and says a lot about the kind of people prepared to do so.

We have people who copy and paste articles from the sun so that others ‘don’t give money to that rag’. Theres been loads of posts copied from ‘The Athletic’ which is subscription only. Lots of people watch Hibs TV on IPTV (or indeed all sorts of subscription TV on IPTV).

I’ve no idea why people are so precious about the Hibs Observer and why they deserve special treatment.

[ChuckNor]

Content is excellent and well worth the price. They have a great intoductory offer on at the moment. Would reccommend to anyone to subscribe. Supports two good hibs journalists!

[DarlingtonHibee]

Hopefully the link to circumnavigate the content for free is deleted.

Pretty poor patter doing that to fellow Hibs supporters in my opinion and says a lot about the kind of people prepared to do so.
100 per cent agree.
Excellent value for money

[Brightside]

We have people who copy and paste articles from the sun so that others ‘don’t give money to that rag’. Theres been loads of posts copied from ‘The Athletic’ which is subscription only. Lots of people watch Hibs TV on IPTV (or indeed all sorts of subscription TV on IPTV).

I’ve no idea why people are so precious about the Hibs Observer and why they deserve special treatment.

Coz its a couple of Hibs fans jobs. If it doesnt make money they are out a job. I couldn't care less about the Sun.

More importantly its actually worth the money.

[GreenGray]

If there's one way to guarantee that print media won't be read it's putting it behind a paywall.

Why not? You expect free content all the time?

[Hibbyradge]

Why not? You expect free content all the time?

He is right, though.

Charging for articles greatly reduces the readership. The same applies to music, film, podcasts, anything really.

For example, a tiny 5p charge was enough to reduce single plastic bag use from 7.6 billion in 2014 to 133 million in 2022. A huge success.

However, the Hibs Observer guys' primary motivation is not to spread the word far and wide, it's to earn money, and if they weren't earning, the medium wouldn't exist.

I have subscribed to the Hibs Observer, but if I want to read an occasional article, for example in the Times, Herald or the Torygraph, I'll continue to sidestep the paywalls.

[oneone73]

He is right, though.

Charging for articles greatly reduces the readership. The same applies to music, film, podcasts, anything really.

For example, a tiny 5p charge was enough to reduce single plastic bag use from 7.6 billion in 2014 to 133 million in 2022. A huge success.

However, the Hibs Observer guys' primary motivation is not to spread the word far and wide, it's to earn money, and if they weren't earning, the medium wouldn't exist.

I have subscribed to the Hibs Observer, but if I want to read an occasional article, for example in the Times, Herald or the Torygraph, I'll continue to sidestep the paywalls.

And what will you do when they can no longer sustain their services? Stick to the taxpayer-funded BBC? Or all the joke keyboard bashers out there?

[Hibbyradge]

And what will you do when they can no longer sustain their services? Stick to the taxpayer-funded BBC? Or all the joke keyboard bashers out there?

If I read an article for free it affects the publication in exactly the same way as if I didn't read it. I have no intention of subscribing to the publication so they're no worse off.

If I find myself reading a publication regularly, I'll subscribe or donate as I do with the Guardian.

How do you feel about IPTV?

PS To answer the "what will I do" part of your question, if the Telegraph goes bust, I'll celebrate.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Coz its a couple of Hibs fans jobs. If it doesnt make money they are out a job. I couldn't care less about the Sun.

More importantly it’s actually worth the money.

So if it was a Hibs fan journalist working for the sun would you think people shouldn’t be copying and pasting the articles? Cliff Pike would be out a job if Hibs TV stopped being profitable. Should we condemn everyone watching Hibs TV on IPTV? Luke Shanley works for Sky Sports, he’s a good Hibby. Are the IPTV users watching Sky Sports to be condemned?

[Carheenlea]

If I read an article for free it affects the publication in exactly the same way as if I didn't read it. I have no intention of subscribing to the publication so they're no worse off.

If I find myself reading a publication regularly, I'll subscribe or donate as I do with the Guardian.

How do you feel about IPTV?

PS To answer the "what will I do" part of your question, if the Telegraph goes bust, I'll celebrate.


So if it was a Hibs fan journalist working for the sun would you think people shouldn’t be copying and pasting the articles? Cliff Pike would be out a job if Hibs TV stopped being profitable. Should we condemn everyone watching Hibs TV on IPTV? Luke Shanley works for Sky Sports, he’s a good Hibby. Are the IPTV users watching Sky Sports to be condemned?

Maybe a good idea to stop digging and just accept its poor patter to be stealing/sharing content from fellow fans operating a small scale initiative.

[ChilliEater]

So if it was a Hibs fan journalist working for the sun would you think people shouldn’t be copying and pasting the articles? Cliff Pike would be out a job if Hibs TV stopped being profitable. Should we condemn everyone watching Hibs TV on IPTV? Luke Shanley works for Sky Sports, he’s a good Hibby. Are the IPTV users watching Sky Sports to be condemned?

It's theft. Someone is producing a product and offering it at a price they think they can get. If you want the product you pay the price. If it's more than you're willing to pay, don't buy it. If noone buys it then they have to either drop the price or go bust - or generate income from advertisers. Do you work for free?

[Hibbyradge]

Maybe a good idea to stop digging and just accept its poor patter to be stealing/sharing content from fellow fans operating a small scale initiative.

I don't do that.

[Carheenlea]

I don't do that.

You did just that on another thread on the same topic yesterday?

[Hibbyradge]

You did just that on another thread on the same topic yesterday?

I see. Yes, I posted the link to allow someone to read the article. I have since deleted it for the reasons you stated.

In truth, I didn't realise that they were Hibs fans. I thought Hibs Observer was just a vehicle for a major newspaper group, although I realise that doesn't change the general moral argument.

[Paulie Walnuts]

It's theft. Someone is producing a product and offering it at a price they think they can get. If you want the product you pay the price. If it's more than you're willing to pay, don't buy it. If noone buys it then they have to either drop the price or go bust - or generate income from advertisers. Do you work for free?

I’m not arguing that.

My question was why Hibs Observer seems to get special treatment whilst the same folk are more than happy to openly admit they use IPTV, share articles from other news outlets etc.

[Hibbyradge]

I was actually right. Hibs Observer is just one of dozens of outlets owned by Newsquest media, including the Herald and the National.

It's not just a couple of Hibs fans earning a crust. Are they definitely Hibs fans? :dunno:

[JohnM1875]

I was actually right. Hibs Observer is just one of dozens of outlets owned by Newsquest media, including the Herald and the National.

It's not just a couple of Hibs fans earning a crust. Are they definitely Hibs fans? :dunno:

Fairly sure Patrick is, don't think the other guy is though, think he's from the West. Doesn't mean he's not a Hibs fan I know, just don't think he is.

Still, good content regardless. Hibs fans can talk just as much ***** as the next person so it doesn't bother me if they don't support Hibs.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Maybe a good idea to stop digging and just accept its poor patter to be stealing/sharing content from fellow fans operating a small scale initiative.

It’s not really a small scale initiative though, is it?

I’m going to hazard a guess nobody would be up in arms about folk sharing articles from The Herald.

[Unseen work]

It’s not really a small scale initiative though, is it?

I’m going to hazard a guess nobody would be up in arms about folk sharing articles from The Herald.

Mate it’s £1 for 6 months by good people giving loads of information about Hibs.

You can see why alot are saying to not share it. It’s 2 lads trying to earn a career by putting in a lot of work, people will always view it different to a big company like the sun or herald.

[GreenGray]

It’s not really a small scale initiative though, is it?

I’m going to hazard a guess nobody would be up in arms about folk sharing articles from The Herald.

£1 for 6 months, for Hibs content you won't get anywhere else seems a fair deal imo. Much fairer than the amount Sky charge for ***** Scottish football coverage which is why people opt for IPTV.

[Not In The Know]

FWIW. I think it's great stuff.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Mate it’s £1 for 6 months by good people giving loads of information about Hibs.

You can see why alot are saying to not share it. It’s 2 lads trying to earn a career by putting in a lot of work, people will always view it different to a big company like the sun or herald.

It is a big company like The Herald.. in fact it’s the same big company as The Herald.

[JohnM1875]

It is a big company like The Herald.. in fact it’s the same big company as The Herald.

I think the main point is the guys themselves have been on here and asked that is isn't shared for free. Least we could do is give them that.

[JimBHibees]

Fairly sure Patrick is, don't think the other guy is though, think he's from the West. Doesn't mean he's not a Hibs fan I know, just don't think he is.

Still, good content regardless. Hibs fans can talk just as much ***** as the next person so it doesn't bother me if they don't support Hibs.

I would have to say he definitely speaks like he is down after each bad result 😃

[JimBHibees]

I think the main point is the guys themselves have been on here and asked that is isn't shared for free. Least we could do is give them that.

Yes not a difficult ask to be fair.

[JimBHibees]

FWIW. I think it's great stuff.

It definitely is.

[7Hero]

Hibs observer similar to Hibs Live facebook page, they want to sell subscriptions, using Hibs content.

Hibs live especially infuriates me as they post things like "We .....

so. "We're in the money" - on the foley deal (most of us would cringe at that as we know the reality is somewhat different - well i would !

"We should be buying this guy" on most transfers. "we may find it tough to keep molida"..

they profess to be Hibs fans, when in fact they are part of the Reach Group.

We should all boycott any publication site that professes to be us when in fact they are not, especially when the Daily Ranger is part of the same group..

If i want the view of Hibs fans ill go to .net or a facebook page which is run by fans, Hibs Live is not..

[Brightside]

I’ve never even heard of Hibs Live.

[Carheenlea]

I’ve never even heard of Hibs Live.

Likewise.

For anyone doubting the Hibs Observer’s “Hibs” credentials should just take a listen to any of the free You Tube broadcasts and they’ll quickly find the answer.

[Paulie Walnuts]

I think the main point is the guys themselves have been on here and asked that is isn't shared for free. Least we could do is give them that.

I get that. Again though, I’d be stunned if someone came along from the Herald, the Daily Record etc and asked folk to stop posting things if people would pay it any notice, especially when some of the same folk have done it previously themselves.

For some reason it “says a lot” about a poster if they post anything from the Hibs Observer (which is owned by a huge media company, not some independent wee operation) yet it doesn’t say anything if they post stuff from another media outlet, or likely even if it was from the same media company as Hibs Observer, or if they watch IPTV.

I personally appreciate Hibbyradges link. Will allow me to read lots of things on all types of topics I’d have no interest in paying for.

[JohnM1875]

I get that. Again though, I’d be stunned if someone came along from the Herald, the Daily Record etc and asked folk to stop posting things if people would pay it any notice, especially when some of the same folk have done it previously themselves.

For some reason it “says a lot” about a poster if they post anything from the Hibs Observer (which is owned by a huge media company, not some independent wee operation) yet it doesn’t say anything if they post stuff from another media outlet, likely even if it was from the same media company, or if they watch IPTV.

I personally appreciate Hibbyradges link. Will allow me to read lots of things on all types of topics I’d have no interest in paying for.

But that's never happened, has it? What has happened as the Observer guys have been on here and asked folk not to share it for free. Don't think they're asking for much either. Could be wrong but aren't the Herald and Daily Record free?

I dunno about the 'says a lot' thing, wasn't me who said that.

[GreenNWhiteArmy]

Love the content from the Observer guys

[Hibbyradge]

Mate it’s £1 for 6 months by good people giving loads of information about Hibs.

You can see why alot are saying to not share it. It’s 2 lads trying to earn a career by putting in a lot of work, people will always view it different to a big company like the sun or herald.

You do know the same company provides similar publications for Celtic, Sevco and hertz?

[McGruber]

Just took up the offer of £18 for the year, excellent value for money as the content is absolutely superb.
Personally wanted to support this as would hate to see it stop. I don't pay anything to the Daily Record, don't value their content and if they stopped wouldn't bother me. That the company is the Herald, that they do something similar for Hearts, Celtic that's not here nor there as far as I'm concerned as only interested in Hibs. If these guys aren't supported the Herald continues, a better supported Hearts/Celtic/Rangers offering continues but be back to little snippets from the Daily Ranger along the lines of Ryan Porteous needs deported - which I'm not paying for.
Anyway, I've a tendency to ramble on so just getting up for a coffee before work, tune in to Patrick & Liam and get up to speed on all things Hibs and Viessman boilers!

[ekhibee]

So just to clear this up, is Hibs Observer an independent body set up by Hibs fans, or is it part of the group that own The Herald? I would definitely consider subscribing if they were independent, but if they're just representing a large organisation I might think otherwise. I have no problem with them getting sponsorship though.

[Brightside]

So just to clear this up, is Hibs Observer an independent body set up by Hibs fans, or is it part of the group that own The Herald? I would definitely consider subscribing if they were independent, but if they're just representing a large organisation I might think otherwise. I have no problem with them getting sponsorship though.

You already know the answer eh. They are owned by NewsQuest media. Who are the parent company of 1000s of local media titles.

[ekhibee]

You already know the answer eh. They are owned by NewsQuest media. Who are the parent company of 1000s of local media titles.

Well thanks for confirming that, I won't be subscribing. I watched the YouTube thing though, it was alright.

[HibsObserver]

Hi folks,

Patrick here, just jumping on to hopefully clear up a few things as I'm aware there might be some of you who don't really know what the Hibs Observer is about, or what we do.

1. Our parent company is Newsquest, who publishes The Herald, Glasgow Times etc. We've never sought to hide this or pretended to be a wholly independent outlet and yes, there are similar sites for Celtic, Hearts, and Rangers. But, as the Hibs Observer editor, I have the final say over what we do and publish. It’s not simply a vehicle for The Herald's Hibs coverage. You may sometimes see our names or articles in print editions of The Herald, but we're two separate entities.

2. Our primary goal is to provide high-quality, well-researched, in-depth and engaging coverage of Hibs and be the first stop for Hibs fans. Why? Mainly because there was an obvious gap for that sort of coverage in the media. The Edinburgh Evening News is really the only other publication that covers the club to a similar level but our aim is to shine a light on everything Hibs, including the stuff that isn’t normally featured in the media - so more than just, “manager said this, player said that”.

3. I believe we're going to see more and more media outlets going down the subscription route in the future, if they haven't already done so. We have a subscription model that I hope works for the readers - affordable, good value, and giving you the ability to help shape our content by suggesting ideas for content you’d like to see. From the start we've been keen to view our subscribers as a ‘family’, rather than customers, which I think marks us out as a wee bit different from the rest.

I completely understand people's reluctance to pay for media content, particularly given how much of it has been available for free over the years. But when you look at the quality, or lack thereof, of a lot of the stuff that is still free and compare it to our content, I think the reasons for us asking readers to pay a small amount to access all our content become crystal clear. In short, you're paying for high-quality, well-researched, in-depth, dedicated, and engaging coverage that you can’t and won't get anywhere else.

The main reason we’ve asked in the past for people not to try to bypass the paywall is not because we think we’re a special case. It’s partly because we genuinely put in a lot of work to create high-quality articles and partly because our subscription packages are, I think, very reasonable. It’s a polite request more than anything, and we do appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay for a subscription.

I know it sounds like a line but the more subscribers we have, the more we can do to keep improving our coverage - and that’s what we want to do. This isn’t about page views or clickbait, it’s about providing a quality offering for Hibs fans.

4. We were both new to the video scene when we started the Hibs Observer, and there’s a reason we’d both spent a considerable amount of time as print journalists rather than broadcast reporters in the past! But we are trying to improve and sharpen up our video skills!

Thanks for your support if you’re already a subscriber and if you’re not, I do hope you give us a chance. Happy to answer any questions folk may have!

[McGruber]

Hi folks,

Patrick here, just jumping on to hopefully clear up a few things as I'm aware there might be some of you who don't really know what the Hibs Observer is about, or what we do.

1. Our parent company is Newsquest, who publishes The Herald, Glasgow Times etc. We've never sought to hide this or pretended to be a wholly independent outlet and yes, there are similar sites for Celtic, Hearts, and Rangers. But, as the Hibs Observer editor, I have the final say over what we do and publish. It’s not simply a vehicle for The Herald's Hibs coverage. You may sometimes see our names or articles in print editions of The Herald, but we're two separate entities.

2. Our primary goal is to provide high-quality, well-researched, in-depth and engaging coverage of Hibs and be the first stop for Hibs fans. Why? Mainly because there was an obvious gap for that sort of coverage in the media. The Edinburgh Evening News is really the only other publication that covers the club to a similar level but our aim is to shine a light on everything Hibs, including the stuff that isn’t normally featured in the media - so more than just, “manager said this, player said that”.

3.*I believe we're going to see more and more media outlets going down the subscription route in the future, if they haven't already done so. We have a subscription model that I hope works for the readers - affordable, good value, and giving you the ability to help shape our content by suggesting ideas for content you’d like to see. From the start we've been keen to view our subscribers as a ‘family’, rather than customers, which I think marks us out as a wee bit different from the rest.

I completely understand people's reluctance to pay for media content, particularly given how much of it has been available for free over the years. But when you look at the quality, or lack thereof, of a lot of the stuff that is still free and compare it to our content, I think the reasons for us asking readers to pay a small amount to access all our content become crystal clear. In short, you're paying for high-quality, well-researched, in-depth, dedicated, and engaging coverage that you can’t and won't get anywhere else.*

The main reason we’ve asked in the past for people not to try to bypass the paywall is not because we think we’re a special case. It’s partly because we genuinely put in a lot of work to create high-quality articles and partly because our subscription packages are, I think, very reasonable. It’s a polite request more than anything, and we do appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay for a subscription.

I know it sounds like a line but the more subscribers we have, the more we can do to keep improving our coverage - and that’s what we want to do. This isn’t about page views or clickbait, it’s about providing a quality offering for Hibs fans.

4. We were both new to the video scene when we started the Hibs Observer, and there’s a reason we’d both spent a considerable amount of time as print journalists rather than broadcast reporters in the past! But we are trying to improve and sharpen up our video skills!

Thanks for your support if you’re already a subscriber and if you’re not, I do hope you give us a chance. Happy to answer any questions folk may have!

Good of you to come on and clarify. Keep up the great work lads, the content is superb and great value for money as far as I'm concerned - far more in depth analysis all things Hibs than anywhere else 👍

[Dalianwanda]

Hi folks,

Patrick here, just jumping on to hopefully clear up a few things as I'm aware there might be some of you who don't really know what the Hibs Observer is about, or what we do.

1. Our parent company is Newsquest, who publishes The Herald, Glasgow Times etc. We've never sought to hide this or pretended to be a wholly independent outlet and yes, there are similar sites for Celtic, Hearts, and Rangers. But, as the Hibs Observer editor, I have the final say over what we do and publish. It’s not simply a vehicle for The Herald's Hibs coverage. You may sometimes see our names or articles in print editions of The Herald, but we're two separate entities.

2. Our primary goal is to provide high-quality, well-researched, in-depth and engaging coverage of Hibs and be the first stop for Hibs fans. Why? Mainly because there was an obvious gap for that sort of coverage in the media. The Edinburgh Evening News is really the only other publication that covers the club to a similar level but our aim is to shine a light on everything Hibs, including the stuff that isn’t normally featured in the media - so more than just, “manager said this, player said that”.

3.*I believe we're going to see more and more media outlets going down the subscription route in the future, if they haven't already done so. We have a subscription model that I hope works for the readers - affordable, good value, and giving you the ability to help shape our content by suggesting ideas for content you’d like to see. From the start we've been keen to view our subscribers as a ‘family’, rather than customers, which I think marks us out as a wee bit different from the rest.

I completely understand people's reluctance to pay for media content, particularly given how much of it has been available for free over the years. But when you look at the quality, or lack thereof, of a lot of the stuff that is still free and compare it to our content, I think the reasons for us asking readers to pay a small amount to access all our content become crystal clear. In short, you're paying for high-quality, well-researched, in-depth, dedicated, and engaging coverage that you can’t and won't get anywhere else.*

The main reason we’ve asked in the past for people not to try to bypass the paywall is not because we think we’re a special case. It’s partly because we genuinely put in a lot of work to create high-quality articles and partly because our subscription packages are, I think, very reasonable. It’s a polite request more than anything, and we do appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay for a subscription.

I know it sounds like a line but the more subscribers we have, the more we can do to keep improving our coverage - and that’s what we want to do. This isn’t about page views or clickbait, it’s about providing a quality offering for Hibs fans.

4. We were both new to the video scene when we started the Hibs Observer, and there’s a reason we’d both spent a considerable amount of time as print journalists rather than broadcast reporters in the past! But we are trying to improve and sharpen up our video skills!

Thanks for your support if you’re already a subscriber and if you’re not, I do hope you give us a chance. Happy to answer any questions folk may have!

Thanks for the site Ive been really impressed with the content so far, great value for money too.

[HFC93]

I subscribed recently and it’s well worth the money. Best Hibs content available online.

[JimBHibees]

Good of you to come on and clarify. Keep up the great work lads, the content is superb and great value for money as far as I'm concerned - far more in depth analysis all things Hibs than anywhere else 👍

Completely agree the content analysis interviews press conference etc are excellent and a complete breath of fresh air. Also completely imo shows up the poor level of coverage the game up here gets generally with one or two exceptions

[ekhibee]

Hi folks,

Patrick here, just jumping on to hopefully clear up a few things as I'm aware there might be some of you who don't really know what the Hibs Observer is about, or what we do.

1. Our parent company is Newsquest, who publishes The Herald, Glasgow Times etc. We've never sought to hide this or pretended to be a wholly independent outlet and yes, there are similar sites for Celtic, Hearts, and Rangers. But, as the Hibs Observer editor, I have the final say over what we do and publish. It’s not simply a vehicle for The Herald's Hibs coverage. You may sometimes see our names or articles in print editions of The Herald, but we're two separate entities.

2. Our primary goal is to provide high-quality, well-researched, in-depth and engaging coverage of Hibs and be the first stop for Hibs fans. Why? Mainly because there was an obvious gap for that sort of coverage in the media. The Edinburgh Evening News is really the only other publication that covers the club to a similar level but our aim is to shine a light on everything Hibs, including the stuff that isn’t normally featured in the media - so more than just, “manager said this, player said that”.

3. I believe we're going to see more and more media outlets going down the subscription route in the future, if they haven't already done so. We have a subscription model that I hope works for the readers - affordable, good value, and giving you the ability to help shape our content by suggesting ideas for content you’d like to see. From the start we've been keen to view our subscribers as a ‘family’, rather than customers, which I think marks us out as a wee bit different from the rest.

I completely understand people's reluctance to pay for media content, particularly given how much of it has been available for free over the years. But when you look at the quality, or lack thereof, of a lot of the stuff that is still free and compare it to our content, I think the reasons for us asking readers to pay a small amount to access all our content become crystal clear. In short, you're paying for high-quality, well-researched, in-depth, dedicated, and engaging coverage that you can’t and won't get anywhere else.

The main reason we’ve asked in the past for people not to try to bypass the paywall is not because we think we’re a special case. It’s partly because we genuinely put in a lot of work to create high-quality articles and partly because our subscription packages are, I think, very reasonable. It’s a polite request more than anything, and we do appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay for a subscription.

I know it sounds like a line but the more subscribers we have, the more we can do to keep improving our coverage - and that’s what we want to do. This isn’t about page views or clickbait, it’s about providing a quality offering for Hibs fans.

4. We were both new to the video scene when we started the Hibs Observer, and there’s a reason we’d both spent a considerable amount of time as print journalists rather than broadcast reporters in the past! But we are trying to improve and sharpen up our video skills!

Thanks for your support if you’re already a subscriber and if you’re not, I do hope you give us a chance. Happy to answer any questions folk may have!

Thanks for the post Patrick, this has actually cleared up a lot of issues for me which previously I wasn't clear about, and on that basis I have now subscibed and look forward to reading Hibs Observer on a regular basis.

[Albert Kidd 86’]

Thanks Patrick, I was an early subscriber, really appreciate the work you put in.

sign up everyone if you have not already.

:aok:

[BILLYHIBS]

Hi folks,

Patrick here, just jumping on to hopefully clear up a few things as I'm aware there might be some of you who don't really know what the Hibs Observer is about, or what we do.

1. Our parent company is Newsquest, who publishes The Herald, Glasgow Times etc. We've never sought to hide this or pretended to be a wholly independent outlet and yes, there are similar sites for Celtic, Hearts, and Rangers. But, as the Hibs Observer editor, I have the final say over what we do and publish. It’s not simply a vehicle for The Herald's Hibs coverage. You may sometimes see our names or articles in print editions of The Herald, but we're two separate entities.

2. Our primary goal is to provide high-quality, well-researched, in-depth and engaging coverage of Hibs and be the first stop for Hibs fans. Why? Mainly because there was an obvious gap for that sort of coverage in the media. The Edinburgh Evening News is really the only other publication that covers the club to a similar level but our aim is to shine a light on everything Hibs, including the stuff that isn’t normally featured in the media - so more than just, “manager said this, player said that”.

3. I believe we're going to see more and more media outlets going down the subscription route in the future, if they haven't already done so. We have a subscription model that I hope works for the readers - affordable, good value, and giving you the ability to help shape our content by suggesting ideas for content you’d like to see. From the start we've been keen to view our subscribers as a ‘family’, rather than customers, which I think marks us out as a wee bit different from the rest.

I completely understand people's reluctance to pay for media content, particularly given how much of it has been available for free over the years. But when you look at the quality, or lack thereof, of a lot of the stuff that is still free and compare it to our content, I think the reasons for us asking readers to pay a small amount to access all our content become crystal clear. In short, you're paying for high-quality, well-researched, in-depth, dedicated, and engaging coverage that you can’t and won't get anywhere else.

The main reason we’ve asked in the past for people not to try to bypass the paywall is not because we think we’re a special case. It’s partly because we genuinely put in a lot of work to create high-quality articles and partly because our subscription packages are, I think, very reasonable. It’s a polite request more than anything, and we do appreciate that not everyone is in a position to pay for a subscription.

I know it sounds like a line but the more subscribers we have, the more we can do to keep improving our coverage - and that’s what we want to do. This isn’t about page views or clickbait, it’s about providing a quality offering for Hibs fans.

4. We were both new to the video scene when we started the Hibs Observer, and there’s a reason we’d both spent a considerable amount of time as print journalists rather than broadcast reporters in the past! But we are trying to improve and sharpen up our video skills!

Thanks for your support if you’re already a subscriber and if you’re not, I do hope you give us a chance. Happy to answer any questions folk may have!

Hi just wondering if the two presenters on the recent YouTube upload are actually Hibs supporters ?

Do not want to sound impertinent but found myself asking this question whilst watching recently- doesn’t really matter either way just curious

Keep up the good work

[Brizo]

Hi just wondering if the two presenters on the recent YouTube upload are actually Hibs supporters ?

Do not want to sound impertinent but found myself asking this question whilst watching recently- doesn’t really matter either way just curious

Keep up the good work

Patrick is 100% a Hibs supporter. I'm pretty sure he can trace his family links back to our earliest days and that one of his ancestors played for the club back in those days.

Don't know about his colleague Liam but did hear him on the Scottish Football podcast episode about Hibs. For a professional journalist whose job is writing about Hibs he didn't come across any more articulate or informed than any fan who phones in. And unlike fans who contribute their opinions, to me, he came across as sitting on the fence about a lot of the issues.

I don't know if that's because their business model wholly relies on club access and fair play to them if they want to monetize their Hibs support, but based on what I heard on the Scottish Football podcast I'll stick to supporter podcasts and forums for the time being.

[BILLYHIBS]

Patrick is 100% a Hibs supporter. I'm pretty sure he can trace his family links back to our earliest days and that one of his ancestors played for the club back in those days.

Don't know about his colleague Liam but did hear him on the Scottish Football podcast episode about Hibs. For a professional journalist whose job is writing about Hibs he didn't come across any more articulate or informed than any fan who phones in. And unlike fans who contribute their opinions, he came across to me as sitting on the fence about a lot of the issues.

I don't know if that's because their business model wholly relies on club access and fair play to them if they want to monetize their Hibs support, but based on what I heard on the podcast I'll stick to the fan forums and Hibs supporter podcasts for the time being.

Liam Bryce was the one that got my spidey senses tingling :greengrin

As I said no biggy

[Brizo]

Liam Bryce was the one that got my spidey senses tingling :greengrin

As I said no biggy

:greengrin: Yeah I might sign up at some stage but I can't say his SF podcast contribution impressed me enough to sign up, although I know it's not a lot of money in the big scheme of things

[JimBHibees]

Hi just wondering if the two presenters on the recent YouTube upload are actually Hibs supporters ?

Do not want to sound impertinent but found myself asking this question whilst watching recently- doesn’t really matter either way just curious

Keep up the good work

Does it matter?

[BILLYHIBS]

Does it matter?

I already sad it doesn’t really matter please read my posts just curious

No biggy

[JimBHibees]

I already sad it doesn’t really matter please read my posts just curious

No biggy

Ok cool

[BILLYHIBS]

Ok cool

👍

[ekhibee]

I was just reading the article in it regarding Hibs being at a critical stage, I agreed with just about every word, a good read, definitely.