While some publishers have slowly but surely started to roll in, accepting the terms of Apple's in-app subscriptions program.  However, one media outlet has opted to not budge, and would much rather sell subscriptions of digital news directly to readers instead of surrendering control.

The Financial Times is valuing direct relations with its customers which allow it to tailor advertising and products to its audience, and would rather not go through the App Store.

"We don't want to lose our direct relationship with our subscribers.  It's at the core of our business model," said Rob Grimshaw, who spoke with Reuters in an interview today.

While Grimshaw remained optimistic about a partnership with Apple, he did add: "If it turns out that one or another channel doesn't mix with the way we want to do business, there's a large number of other channels available to us."

But: "We have a great relationship with Apple."

The Financial Times has found success in signing up readers for paying digital subscriptions.  It's total number increased to 590,000 subscribers from a peak of 440,000 that read the print version.

Grimshaw mentioned that FT.com had much more to lose by giving up its customers relationships to Apple than other publishers, who had yet to develop a successful online business model.

"We have something to lose," he said.  "The publishing market as a whole is in a different situation."

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(Image courtesy of business.gwu.edu)