New paper already setting records

IF you love news then you’ve come to the right place. Your new-look Mercury has more stories in its news section than any other Australian newspaper.

Yesterday, we carried 50 stories in our news and world sections. The only major newspaper that came close was the Herald

Sun, which published 49. Broadsheet newspaper The

Australian carried 43 stories in its news section, and the Austra

lian Financial Review 31 – the same number as the Age. The Launceston Examiner carried 17, while the Burnie Advocate ran a grand total of 16 local, national and world stories.

In today’s edition it is a tie between us and the Herald Sun – with our 51 stories in news and world exactly the same as theirs.

Editor Chris Jones said this high story count was a feature of the design chosen for your newformat Mercury, and it was the result of reader research that found people enjoyed reading lots of smaller stories alongside the big news of the day.

Readers yesterday gave the new product the thumbs-up – and the primary feedback related to there being more stories, and the newspaper itself being easier to hold.

Adrian Pacey, of Lauderdale,

pictured, said he always reads his paper from back to front – and he was already a fan of the compact tabloid size, that is also used by some of the biggest-circulating newspapers in the world.

“Reading the paper at cafes, on buses, anywhere really will feel more comfortable,” he said. “It has a simpler newspaper look with a feel of the times.”

Aukje Hevey, also of Lauderdale (also pictured), said: “This morning it’s windy and the smaller size doesn’t flap around as much. I like the new look.” If you want to try out the newlook paper at home, you can get it delivered for just $3 a week for the first eight weeks. Sign up at themercury.com.au/dollar or call 1800 132 675.