Compact Newspapers/Berliner Format

As the name suggests, compact newspapers are small versions of bigger, generally broadsheet newspapers, and the name was coined by the Daily Mail in the '70s, who were predictably reluctant to be classed as tabloids. Newspapers such as the Independent and The Times, which were formally printed as broadsheets until they switched to compact newspapers, anticipated a change in the print market. Suddenly, with the rise of technology, it became easier to pick and choose stories for free from the internet, and the appeal of reading through a frankly massive 22" paper became less and less.

The Independent was the first paper to make the move to compact in 2005, as it was difficult for such a large paper to be read on transport, and in particular the London Underground and buses. The Times copied the move as The Independent's sales rose, and when broadsheet and compact versions went on sale, the smaller version generated more interest, and so the compact newspaper was truly born.

Compact newspapers are strictly not tabloid newspapers though, despite sharing the same size. One of the functions of a compact is to report broadsheet quality news.

In terms of my own newspaper, I think the compact paper is a very very good idea, because as mentioned it is not too large to read in public, yet contains a good amount of proper broadsheet journalism, not hindered by its size. For me, the positives definitely outweigh the costs of creating a smaller newspaper, and it is definitely an area I will contemplate when moving into my final preparations up to my practical work.

The Berliner format, which the Guardian is printed in, is just bigger than the compact/tabloid size, yet considerably smaller than a broadsheet newspaper. It is very popular throughout Europe and Asia, and it is another option I will explore.