Who will pay for online news? The question has long boggled the news media, which has largely failed to make money on their Web sites using advertising, even though millions use the free news they provide.

But publishers and broadcasters are redoubling their efforts to sell news for money, and the offerings have generated -- if not yet profits -- at least some buzz.

ABC exec: "I think many users, certainly not all of them, are prepared to pay for high-quality service and high-quality content."