24 Hodin has a Berliner format and its content is focused on local news, new technologies and sport. The paper also carries listings and ads. Commercial manager of the new paper Martin Vedj said Ringier will jump from number three to number one for ad revenues in the Czech Republic as a result of the launch of 24 Hodin.

24 Hodin will compete with Metro, Prague's only other free daily, published by Swedish Metro Times Group (MTG). The new paper's management plans to compete with MTG next summer for the exclusive right that it now holds to distribute its paper in the Prague underground.

An internet verion of 24 Hodin will also be launched in 2006.  

Tomas Bohm, Ringier’s general manager in the Czech Republic, stated that if the new paper is a success similar initiatives will be adopted across Eastern Europe: "If this is a success, and I believe it will be, we will widen this concept to other countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Serbia, where we are active."

Source: AFP (registration required)