More major newspapers tackle the tabloid format

While the Independent Weekly is less than two years old, it's publisher Solstice Media decided to shift to the tabloid format following research conducted with current and potential subscribers prior to Christmas.

Paul Hamra, publisher of the Independent Weekly, says the research revealed that a move to the tabloid style would secure a higher circulation for the paper, and claims the broadsheet format was beginning to limits its growth.

“Our current readership lies at 39,000, but the research showed that our target market wanted the information in a more readable form, with the weekend edition on a Saturday instead of a Sunday,” says Hamra.

“The move to the tabloid form is definitely a global trend, and you only need to look at the same move made by The Guardian and The Independent in the UK to confirm this, which dramatically increased circulation in both cases.”

Hamra claims the shift away from broadsheet has already proved a success for the publication, with the Saturday edition selling out in key locations across Adelaide and readers positive about the change in size.

The tabloid downsize comes just two weeks after News Limited publication The Courier-Mail made the same decision, which David Fagan, editor, claiming it will attract younger readers and commuters.

“People are time poor. They want high-quality journalism and they want it in the sharpest, most convenient format,” Fagan told the PANPA Bulletin.

“Brisbane is a vibrant, rapidly growing city, and our readers want a rigorous, authoritative newspaper in a form that's readily accessible and easy to read.”

Fagan also insists that the shift to the tabloid size is a global trend, and argues it is something we will see more and more around Australia.

“The experience around the world has been that the compact size has proved extremely popular and convenient with broadsheet readers, while at the same time being embraced by new readers,” says Fagan.