The Times has announced plans to copy the Independent and launch a “compact” edition in the London area from Wednesday.
The Independent offered readers in the Greater London area the choice of a tabloid size version at the beginning of October.
It resulted in the paper reversing its circulation decline last month it was the only broadsheet to record a year on year rise up seven per cent to 235,491.
A month later the Independent expanded its tabloid version to be available in the Granada TV region and it is expected to soon go out across the country.
There has been speculation that other broadsheets would follow suit and The Telegraph has also experimented with a dummie tabloid version and conducted reader research.
Robert Thomson, editor of The Times, said “The Times is one of the oldest and most respected newspapers in the world and we are making newspaper history again as we embark on a significant change of format. The compact Times will be the same size as a tabloid, but it will be very, very different to the average tabloid, as it will bring the values and the content of the broadsheet to its new shape.
He continued: “The compact Times will offer readers a dynamic and compelling read in a format that fits their lives, whether for those commuting on the Underground or for those who will sometimes want another format other than the wonderful expanse of a broadsheet. Outstanding editorial quality forms the basis of everything we do, whatever the shape, and the compact, like the broadsheet, will be informed by expertise, wit and passion.”
by Dominic Ponsford
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