The New York Times is getting into the film club business.
The paper announced that it will launch the aptly-named “New York Times Film Club” in January.
For a $100 annual membership fee — or $175 for two — members are allowed to attend a pair of "red carpet premieres" of digitally restored classics, as well as six preview screenings of new films.
Select classic film screenings "will feature special guest appearances that may include film experts, screen talent and New York Times journalists," the Times said. Classic film premieres (no less than three, according to the paper) will take place at the TimesCenter in New York and Stephen J. Ross Theatre in Burbank, while the new films (30 to 40 per year) will be screened at various locations in New York and L.A.
Members will also receive discounted tickets to TimesTalks film-related live events, discounts on film studio merchandise and "VIP tours of the Warner Bros. lot."
Oh, and if you join now, you'll get a "free New York Times Film Club t-shirt!"
The move comes as newspapers — and, for that matter, studios — attempt to create new revenue streams to offset circulation declines and rising print costs.
And the Times is on track to test its highly-anticipated online paywall in early 2010.
Clubs are common for newspapers trying to squeeze every last dollar out of their readers. The Wall Street Journal, for instance, has operated a wine club since 2002.
