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Version 10 | Version 11 |
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Evening Standard to be free paper | Evening Standard to be free paper |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The London Evening Standard is to become a free newspaper. | The London Evening Standard is to become a free newspaper. |
About 600,000 copies of the paper - which currently costs 50p - will be given out in London from 12 October. Current circulation is about 250,000. | About 600,000 copies of the paper - which currently costs 50p - will be given out in London from 12 October. Current circulation is about 250,000. |
The move follows Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev taking control of the Standard from Daily Mail-owner Associated Newspapers in January. | The move follows Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev taking control of the Standard from Daily Mail-owner Associated Newspapers in January. |
The London Lite paper is already given away free. Last month, the free London Paper ceased publication. | The London Lite paper is already given away free. Last month, the free London Paper ceased publication. |
Industry sources suggested that the Lite, owned by Associated and with a circulation of about 400,000, would eventually close or merge with the Standard, leaving just one daily evening paper in the capital. | Industry sources suggested that the Lite, owned by Associated and with a circulation of about 400,000, would eventually close or merge with the Standard, leaving just one daily evening paper in the capital. |
FROM THE WORLD AT ONE More from The World At One Will the Standard's move pay off? | FROM THE WORLD AT ONE More from The World At One Will the Standard's move pay off? |
Standard editor Geordie Greig said his paper would "wait with eagerness" to see how the management of the Lite responded. | Standard editor Geordie Greig said his paper would "wait with eagerness" to see how the management of the Lite responded. |
The Standard becoming a freesheet goes against the stance of News International - publisher of The Sun and The Times, as well as the Wall Street Journal. | The Standard becoming a freesheet goes against the stance of News International - publisher of The Sun and The Times, as well as the Wall Street Journal. |
It has signalled an end to free news, saying it would start charging online customers for news content across all its websites, in addition to closing the London Paper. | It has signalled an end to free news, saying it would start charging online customers for news content across all its websites, in addition to closing the London Paper. |
'Competing distractions' | 'Competing distractions' |
The Standard, which is 75.1% owned by Mr Lebedev and 24.9% owned by Associated, has been a paid-for product for more than 180 years. | The Standard, which is 75.1% owned by Mr Lebedev and 24.9% owned by Associated, has been a paid-for product for more than 180 years. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThe problem with most newspapers now is finding the news between all of the adverts Duncan McDonald, Salisbury Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThe problem with most newspapers now is finding the news between all of the adverts Duncan McDonald, Salisbury Send us your comments |
Mr Lebedev said that the Standard was "the first leading quality newspaper to go free". | Mr Lebedev said that the Standard was "the first leading quality newspaper to go free". |
"I am sure others will follow," he added. | "I am sure others will follow," he added. |
Mr Greig, installed after Mr Lebedev gained control of the paper, described the move as a "historic moment and great opportunity". | Mr Greig, installed after Mr Lebedev gained control of the paper, described the move as a "historic moment and great opportunity". |
"The Standard has an exciting and secure future with this new, pioneering strategy of more than doubling our distribution," he said, which would make it a "one stop shop" for display and classified advertising. | "The Standard has an exciting and secure future with this new, pioneering strategy of more than doubling our distribution," he said, which would make it a "one stop shop" for display and classified advertising. |
Managing director of the London Evening Standard, Andrew Mullins, said that it had been a challenge to sustain a paid-for newspaper - even before free afternoon newspapers were launched in 2006. | Managing director of the London Evening Standard, Andrew Mullins, said that it had been a challenge to sustain a paid-for newspaper - even before free afternoon newspapers were launched in 2006. |
"There are so many competing distractions to potential readers, particularly with new technologies. Being a quality newspaper with large scale and reach should transform our commercial fortunes," he added. | "There are so many competing distractions to potential readers, particularly with new technologies. Being a quality newspaper with large scale and reach should transform our commercial fortunes," he added. |
Associated also prints the free Metro paper - distributed in London and several other UK cities. | Associated also prints the free Metro paper - distributed in London and several other UK cities. |