Broadsheet

Broadsheet is a size and format for newspapers, and a descriptive term applied to papers which use that format rather than the smaller tabloid format. (A third, less common format is the Berliner.) Many broadsheets measure roughly 29½ by 23½ inches (74.9 cm × 59.7 cm) per spread, twice the size of a standard tabloid. Australian and New Zealand broadsheets always have a paper size of A1 per spread (84.1cm by 59.4cm).

Switch to smaller sizes

In 2003 The Independent started concurrent production of both broadsheet and tabloid ("compact") editions, carrying exactly the same content. The Times did likewise, but with less apparent success, with readers vocally opposing the change. The daily Independent ceased to be available in broadsheet format in May 2004, and The Times followed suit from November 2004; the Scotsman is also now published only in tabloid format. The Guardian switched to the "Berliner" or "midi" format found in some other European countries (slightly larger than a traditional tabloid) on 12 September, 2005.

Related Topics:
2003 - Compact - May 2004 - November - 2004 - Scotsman - The Guardian - Berliner - Midi - Europe - 12 September - 2005

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The main motivation cited for this shift is that commuters prefer papers which they can hold easily on public transport, and it is presumably hoped that other readers will also find the smaller formats more convenient. It remains to be seen how this shake-up will affect the usage of the term "broadsheet".

Related Topics:
Commuter - Public transport

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