On April 5, 2008, the Weekend Witness, the Saturday version of the country's oldest newspaper, is going tabloid. It will include a mix of "news, finance, entertainment, comics, motoring, and leisure topics," according to Dave Erasmus, General Manager of the Witness Division of The Natal Witness Group.

The paper's new format will be easier to handle, easier to read, have a livelier presentation, and shorter stories. Its coverage on local news and sports will continue, as well as its scope and value.

"We're very excited about the new-format Weekend Witness and are certain readers will like what they see on 5 April," says Erasmus.

The paper launched over four years ago, with circulation going from 23,000 to a steady 30,000. It hopes to attract new readers, especially women and young readers, who reportedly tend to favor compact format newspapers, labeling them as "cool."  However, the reduction of paper size does cut cost measures which may be a strategic move in the declining newspaper industry.

Source: Biz Community