Evening Standard becomes free paper - after 180 years as a paid-for title

Evening Standard To Become Free Newspaper

• London's Evening Standard is to turn itself into a free newspaper, after 180 years as a paid-for title.
• The Evening Standard is to turn itself into a free newspaper later this month, ending its 180-year run as a paid-for title.
• The paper will be available free of charge from 12 October, with its circulation more than doubling from around 250,000 to 600,000 copies a day.
• Russian oligarch Alexander Lebedev, who owns a 75.1% stake in the paper, is axing the 50p charge as he seeks to revive its fortunes.
• Standard bosses described the development as "an historic moment and great opportunity", and insisted the publication will remain "a quality newspaper".
• The move follows the increased pressure from free newspapers in the city in the past few years - although one of these, thelondonpaper, was closed last month.
• Andrew Mullins, managing director of the Evening Standard, said: "Sustaining a paid-for afternoon newspaper had its challenges even before the freesheets were launched in 2006.
• "There are so many competing distractions to potential readers, particularly with new technologies.
• "Being a quality newspaper with large scale and reach should transform our commercial fortunes."
• Mr Lebedev, who bought the paper from the publisher of the Daily Mail, said he thought other newspapers may follow the lead.

By www.michaeljackson50.com