Newspaper sizes: it's size that matters

Part of An introduction to newspapers in the UK

In October 2003, quality broadsheet The Independent began producing what it preferred to call a compact edition - tabloid sized - along with the main broadsheet sized newspaper. This had a stunning effect on circulation - sales went up by 20% year-on-year - and The Times followed suit launching its own compact edition. Both newspapers are now exclusively available in compact form.

The Guardian denounced the original shift to compact, before planning and then junking its own compact format. In September 2005, it switched to a mid-size format between tabloid and broadsheet, known as the 'Berliner'. This is roughly the same width as a tabloid (thus easy to open using public transport), but taller, and therefore giving more flexibility in page design. Its sister paper The Observer also followed suit in January 2006.

The Daily Telegraph is the only remaining weekday broadsheet. It apparently gained from The Times when the latter switched to tabloid, and sees the broadsheet size as being a differentiator - some advertising for the Telegraph has used the claim that Telegraph readers have a 'broader view'.

In terms of Sunday newspapers, The Sunday Telegraph and most sections of The Sunday Times are also in broadsheet size.