Today we’re announcing a significant change to the way you experience the Guardian in print: from early 2018 we will move the Guardian and the Observer to tabloid formats.
Over the past six months, we’ve been thinking hard about how we can continue to deliver great journalism to readers through our print editions. At the same time, we’ve also been examining every cost across our organisation, as part of a three-year plan to make the Guardian financially sustainable.
The introduction of the Berliner format in 2005 was a historic moment for the Guardian, and we won award after award for our world-class design and innovation, including world’s best-designed newspaper twice in three years. It is a beautiful format.
We believe there will be a market for quality print journalism for years to come, but declining circulations mean that printing the Berliner is becoming increasingly expensive. Moving to a tabloid format will allow us to be far more flexible in responding to changing print demand. It will allow us to save millions of pounds each year, helping us to become financially sustainable so that we can keep investing in the most important thing: Guardian journalism.
This plan is the outcome of careful consideration, reader research and planning. Early research with some of our most loyal readers has been positive. We have spoken to print readers who have told us clearly that it is the great journalism, photography, graphics and design that they value, not the shape and size of the newspaper. We are going to create a tabloid Guardian and a tabloid Observer that are bold, striking and beautiful. Input from our readers, members and subscribers will be crucial.
The Guardian has signed a contract with Trinity Mirror, who will take over printing and distribution of our newspapers in the new format. If you are a print subscriber, your subscription service will continue as usual.
More people than ever before are reading and supporting the Guardian’s journalism. Today’s announcement further cements our commitment to produce the Guardian and the Observer in print for the foreseeable future – but there’s no doubt that this is a significant moment in our history. The print industry continues to evolve, and we must keep evolving with it.
Katharine Viner
Editor-in-chief, Guardian News and Media
David Pemsel
Chief executive, Guardian Media Group