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Publishing industry

Microsoft Sponsors Entire Edition of Times of London for £350,000

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Times of London, under the ownership of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, has agreed to give away its entire edition of 1.5 million copies, free of charge, courtesy of Microsoft Corporation. In exchange, Microsoft had several ads and a 24-page supplement praising the company's Windows 95 operating system. This move has raised concerns about the integrity of the Times, which has been a landmark of journalism history.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft paid £350,000 to sponsor the entire edition of the Times of London, with 1.5 million copies being distributed free of charge.
  • The deal includes several ads and a 24-page supplement praising Microsoft's Windows 95 operating system, written by Times reporters and Microsoft public relations agents.
  • The move has been criticized by the National Union of Journalists, with general secretary John Foster calling it "very bizarre, very worrying" and raising questions about the integrity of the Times.
  • The Times has experienced significant circulation growth under Murdoch's ownership, increasing by about 80% over the past two years, but the decision to allow an advertiser to sponsor an entire edition has led to concerns about the paper's down-market shift.
  • Former Times editors, such as Hugh Stephenson, have expressed surprise and disappointment at the decision, with Stephenson stating that it "cheapens the image of the Times to be a giveaway."
  • Both the Times and Microsoft emphasize that Microsoft approached the newspaper first, with the Times retaining its editorial integrity while giving prospective readers a sample copy.

Statistics:

  • The Times of London has a circulation of 1.5 million copies for the sponsored edition.
  • Microsoft paid £350,000 (approximately $732,000) to sponsor the entire edition.
  • Microsoft spent £20 million in Britain for its Windows 95 launch.
  • The Times cover price is 25p, making it the lowest of the quality dailies.
  • Under Murdoch's ownership, the Times has experienced an 80% increase in circulation over the past two years.

Sources:

  • The Wall Street Journal, "Microsoft Sponsors Entire Edition of Times of London" (no date)
  • The Times of London (no date)
  • Dow Jones & Co. Inc. (no date)
  • Mediastar (no date)
  • John Foster, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists

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