Weekend Witness goes tabloid

“We're very excited about the new-format Weekend Witness and are certain readers will like what they see on 5 April,” says Dave Erasmus, GM of the Witness Division of The Natal Witness Group.

“We're confident that the mix of news, finance, entertainment, comics, motoring and leisure topics will appeal to existing readers across the province, while attracting new readers especially women and younger readers, shown by research to favour compact format newspapers.

Compact is “cool”

According to the publishers, newspaper readers around the world are saying that compact is “cool”. The new format is intended to be easier to handle and easier to read, whether in bed or at the breakfast table. Presentation will be livelier and stories shorter and punchier to suit readers' busy weekend lives, without compromising on scope or value.

The paper's focus on local news will continue, as will its excellent coverage and analysis of sports events. Young reader features have been increased, and there will also be a greater emphasis on reader contributions and consumer awareness.

The Weekend Witness has a footprint across the whole of KwaZulu-Natal, but concentrated in the midlands and Durban areas. From its launch over four years ago, circulation has gone from about 23 000 to 30 000, where it is holding steady.