News Limited is to launch iPad applications for the company's metropolitan newspapers The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier Mail and The Advertiser.
News Limited chairman and chief executive John Hartigan said that the company has already received strong advertiser demand for the platform. The applications will have several launch advertising partners including Telstra, Harvey Norman, National Australia Bank and Suncorp.
Hartigan said: "Strong, compelling advertising will be as fundamental to these apps as it has been to our newspapers and we are delighted to have already secured some strong commercial partnerships to support the launch of these apps."
The moves continues the company's push into digital with News Limited-owned national daily newspaper The Australian already having launched an iPad app and an Android-powered app for the Samsung Galaxy Tab.
Each app will cost $7.99 a month with The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun apps to launch on 19 November, followed by The Courier Mail and The Advertiser in December.
Hartigan said: "Around 15 years ago, the first newspaper websites launched, leading to an explosion in readership. Now a new generation of readers is eagerly consuming digital journalism on tablet devices - expanding our reach even further - and is prepared to pay for high quality content.
“The new apps will be much more than a static replica of the printed products. They will play to the strengths of the iPad in allowing readers to navigate through our world class journalism, photography and video content. Content will be easily and intuitively accessed with arresting design and strong imagery.”
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