There have been more sign-ups to the Herald's paywall but the profit for its parent company is down

There are now more than 15 thousand digital subscribers to the premium service - 50 percent more than the annual target.

NZME chief executive Michael Boggs says another 25 thousand or so print subscribers have activated their Premium accounts.

However, the parent company NZME, which also owns Newstalk ZB, has reported half-year earnings before taxes of 19.4 million dollars, down 16 percent, on the same period last year.