The Guardian

The Guardian is a British newspaper owned by the Guardian Media Group. It is published Monday to Saturday in the Berliner format, with left-of-centre politics. Until 1959 it was called The Manchester Guardian, reflecting its provincial origins: the paper is still occasionally referred to by this name, especially in North America, although it has been based in London since 1964 (with printing facilities in both Manchester and London).

Moving to the Berliner paper format

In 2004, The Guardian announced plans to change to a "Berliner" or "midi" format similar to that used by Le Monde in France and some other European papers; at 470×315 mm, this is slightly larger than a traditional tabloid. Planned for the autumn of 2005, this change is either a response to, or has the same cause as, the moves by The Times and The Independent to start publishing in tabloid (or "compact") format.

Related Topics:
2004 - Berliner - Midi - Le Monde - Europe - Tabloid - The Times - The Independent

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The advantage that The Guardian sees in the Berliner format is that though it is little wider than a tabloid, and is thus equally easy to read on public transport, its greater height gives more flexibility in page design.

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An article in the Independent on Sunday, dated January 30 2005, suggested that the move may be fraught with problems. As of January 2005, no printing press in the UK could produce newspapers in the Berliner format. One of the Guardian's presses is part owned by groups responsible for The Daily Telegraph and The Daily Express who would likely require compensation if The Guardian pulls out. It is contracted to use the plant until 2009. Another press is shared with the Guardian Media Group's north western local tabloid papers, which do not wish to switch to the Berliner format.

Related Topics:
Independent on Sunday - January 30 - 2005 - The Daily Telegraph - The Daily Express - Guardian Media Group

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On Thursday 1 September 2005 The Guardian announced that it would launch the new format on Monday 12 September http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,14173,1560525,00.html. The Observer will follow in early 2006. The switch cost Guardian Newspapers £80 million and has involved setting up new printing presses in east London and Manchester. The papers are the first UK nationals able to print in full colour on every page. The new presses mean that printing can go right across the 'gutter', the strip down the middle of the centre page. This has allowed the paper to print striking double page pictures.

Related Topics:
1 September - 2005 - 12 September

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On Friday 9 September 2005 the newspaper unveiled its new look front page http://image.guardian.co.uk/sys-files/Media/documents/2005/09/09/Newfront.pdf, which débuted on Monday 12 September 2005. Designed by Mark Porter, the new look includes a new masthead for the newspaper, its first since 1988. The typeface is called Guardian Egyptian.

Related Topics:
9 September - 2005 - 12 September - 1988

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