The rise of the free newspaper

Part of An introduction to newspapers in the UK

A relatively recent phenomenon in the newspaper industry has been the free morning papers. Free weekly papers are fairly common, supported by advertising and carrying little in the way of editorial. But now, with the launch of Associated's 'Metro' and similar titles in many metropolitan areas, these newspapers thrive on public transport and in busy cities. Giving editorial almost as good as the paid-for dailies, are these a threat to the established titles?

Free evening papers were bound to also arrive. In London, News International's thelondonpaper and Associated's Standard Lite (later known as London Lite) were launched within weeks of each other in September 2006. Murdoch's thelondonpaper admitted defeat in September 2009; and a few months later, London Lite also closed. During this period, the London Evening Standard was sold as a quality paper at 50p (more than most tabloids); but in October 2009, after successfully defeating News International, the newspaper removed its cover price and started to give their newspaper away. It was reported in June 2010 that this had been a successful move by the Standard; instead of selling around 140,000 copies a day, the paper now prints around 750,000 copies a day, and it's on course to return to profit by 2012.

In terms of morning newspapers, The Independent is apparently looking at a freemium offering (perhaps making its newspaper free at certain delivery points such as railway stations).