Times Rolls Out Compact Edition Across The UK
The Times has announced plans to roll-out its compact edition across the UK, but insists it remains totally committed to publishing its broadsheet version alongside the commuter-friendly tabloid.
The announcement comes just weeks after the Independent went completely tabloid, in a move that consigned the broadsheet edition of the paper to the scrap-heap after more than twenty years (see Independent Ditches Broadsheet To Go Totally Tabloid).
However, the Times insists it has no plans follow in its rival’s footsteps by ditching its long-running broadsheet edition. A spokeswoman for the newspaper said: “We are completely committed to publishing both formats and will continue to do so as part of our ongoing strategy.”
The latest monthly ABC results for May show that the Times saw circulation dip by 0.4% month on month to 652,264. It is understood that sales of the compact edition are approaching the 300,000 mark, which represents almost half of the newspaper’s total circulation.
Commenting on the move, the paper’s editor, Robert Thomson, said: “The Times compact is the UK’s best-selling quality compact and the roll-out across the country means that more people than ever before will be able to try the new format.”
Paul Hayes, general manger at Times Newspapers, added: “The Times compact is a great success story. It shows how innovative media owners can offer significant added value as new audiences take up the compact. As our rivals remain immobile.”
The Independent‘s decision to go totally tabloid was prompted by the fact that the number of people buying the traditional broadsheet version was so small that it no longer made business sense to continue to publish the title in two formats.
The decision came as little surprise to media agencies, which had been speculating over the demise of the broadsheet for months. Steve Goodman, group head of press at MediaCom, claimed the move could be the paper’s saving grace (see Media Planners Welcome Independent’s Tabloid Move).
The Times: 020 7782 5000 www.timesonline.co.uk
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