Editor David Fagan says the new format will make the newspaper more accessible and easier to read, and that moving from broadsheet to compact was a natural progression for The Courier-Mail.

“Research shows readers like what we are doing but that our size is restricting our growth,” says Fagan. “The change will modernise the newspaper, making it more convenient for our existing readers and attracting new readers.

“People want The Courier-Mail to change. They are time poor. They want high quality journalism and they want it in the sharpest, most convenient format. Brisbane is a vibrant, rapidly growing city, and our readers want a rigorous, authoritative newspaper in a form that’s readily accessible and easy to read.”

Fagan assures that it is just the size that is changing, not the paper’s values, and says readers have indicated they would like a compact format and already like the sections produced in tabloid size.

“The experience around the world, through newspapers including The Times, The Guardian and The Independent, has been that the compact size has proved extremely popular and convenient with broadsheet readers while at the same time being embraced by new readers,” he says.

The Courier-Mail is published by Queensland Newspapers, the fastest growing newspaper business in the country. Managing director Jerry Harris says The Courier-Mail will continue to invest in journalism and the quality of the printed product.

A $32 million upgrade to Queensland Newspaper’s printing presses in Brisbane has increased the amount of colour pages by 50 per cent.

The Courier-Mail will hit the streets in its new format in the first half of next year. The cover price will remain at $1 weekdays and $1.80 Saturdays.

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