News Corp. chief digital officer Jon Miller told the audience at the Abu Dhabi Media Summit that The Daily faces a “moment of truth next week” when free digital subscriptions to the digital paper run out. The Daily has been available as a free trial since it launched in February, but that free trial will expire – only those who have actually paid for subscriptions will be able to view The Daily’s content.

“Although the Daily has been free so far, it is understood that a few thousand people have already signed up to the year-long subscription. News Corp has not released any numbers, but it is estimated that the figure is in the region of 5,000.”

News Corp. made a splash when it introduced The Daily as a daily digital newspaper premiering on the iPad. “New times demand new journalism,” News Corp. chairman Rupert Murdoch said, “…and a new service edited and designed specifically for new devices.”

The Daily set for Europe availability; editions next? [paidContent.org]