Guardian sharing: 61% chance of shared access at three of six UK publishers on 20 October 2028

The Guardian’s new extra accounts point towards a broader change in how publishers sell access. Noah assigns a 61% probability that at least three of six named UK publishers will have qualifying permissioned sharing live on 20 October 2028. That is a forecast of product availability, not proof that sharing will lift revenue or keep readers paying.

One subscription can now introduce a publisher to several readers without producing several payments. That is the commercial question behind the Guardian’s new sharing offer. It creates a route from an existing supporter’s enthusiasm to somebody else’s daily reading. Whether it creates more durable revenue depends on what happens after the invitation.

On 19 October, the Guardian introduced extra accounts for Digital plus and print subscribers, with up to three invitees.