Feb 5 (Reuters) -

The New York Times ( NYT ) forecast first-quarter

subscription revenue growth below Wall Street estimates on

Wednesday, signaling growing competition to attract new

subscribers.

Major news organizations including CNN and The Verge

recently started offering paid subscriptions for online content

amid an intensely competitive and crowded market.

The New York Times ( NYT ) expects subscription revenue growth

of 7% to 10%, compared with analysts' average estimate of 9.9%

in the first quarter, according to data compiled by Visible

Alpha.

It forecast digital-only quarterly subscription revenues

of 14% to 17%, above expectations of 13.6%.

Total revenue in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 was

$726.6 million, in line with the average estimates compiled by

LSEG.