Times Confirms Tabloid Only Publication From Monday
As reported this morning, The Times has confirmed that it is to drop its broadsheet edition from Monday, publishing in tabloid only format from Monday to Saturday.
The move leaves only the Sunday Times in broadsheet format, completing the newspaper’s gradual transition to tabloid only publication which has seen its large-format being phased out in Scotland, Wales, Ireland and the West Country.
Commenting on the move, Robert Thomson, editor of The Times, said: “This is a significant moment in the 216-year history of The Times. The launch of the compact has transformed the fortunes of the newspaper and made The Times even more influential as Britain’s journal of record. Our talented and committed team of journalists is determined to produce a newspaper that is bringing quality reporting to an ever larger audience and to uphold the traditional virtues and values that have made The Times respected around the world.”
Paul Hayes, general manager at Times Newspapers Limited, added: “We are delighted with the sales over the past eleven months. There are circulation winners and losers in the British quality newspaper market: The Times is a winner, and our strong growth is due to the popularity of the compact. We tested the market and our sales in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the West Country rose significantly when we became a compact-only newspaper in those areas. The move is a response to clear reader demand and we look forward to a compact future.”
The Times‘ circulation has increased since the the creation of its compact edition in November last year, adding a total of 6.2% over the past 11 months. However, the paper’s increase is dwarfed by that of The Independent, which has seen an impressive 21.1% increase in circulation since creating its tabloid in September 2003.
The Times continues to sell on a much larger scale than the Independent, however, with a total of just under 661,000 compared with The Independent‘s comparitavely meagre 265,000.
The decision to publish in tabloid only form will result in reduced costs for the newspaper, but is also likely to anger its traditionalist readers. Earlier this year newspaper drew criticism over its plans to roll-out its compact edition nation-wide, with readers complaining that the broadsheet version is not always available (see Times Under Fire As Compact Edition Goes National).
The newspaper may be seeking to replace its older readers, however, as research published in July claimed that the compact edition is attracting a young, upmarket audience to the newspaper, which was traditionally been a stalwart of a much older demographic (see Compact Times Proves Successful In Attracting New Readers).
The Times has also embarked upon a joint research project with the Independent to demonstrate the benefits of compact editions and boost advertiser confidence in the medium, the results of which are expected early next year (see Times And Independent Join For Tabloid Research Project).
The Times: 020 7782 5000 www.timesonline.co.ukRecent Newspaper Stories from NewsLine News Group Appoints New Commercial Director Guardian Ends Slump With Circulation Increase Times Under Fire As Compact Edition Goes National
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