Mid-Day shuts down Delhi & Bangalore editions

Heavy losses forced decision, but Jagran Prakashan led management will continue with the Mumbai and Pune editions

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | December 6, 2011

Afternoon tabloid Mid-Day has brought the shutters down on its Delhi and Bangalore editions with their last issue coming out today. The two editions were launched in 2008 followed by the Pune edition. However, the newspaper, owned by Mid-day Infomedia Limited, a subsidiary of Jagran Prakashan Limited, will continue with its Mumbai and Pune editions.

Speaking on the decision, Manajit Ghoshal, CEO, Mid-day Infomedia, told Best Media Info that the decision was necessitated “by the prolonged losses” on these editions. “Due to the ever increasing competition in the print media space, the funds required for breakeven in these cities kept escalating. Finally, we had to take this call. We will, however, continue to maintain a news bureau in Delhi and our sales offices in Bangalore and Delhi,” he said.

Started from Mumbai, the 32-year-old Mid-Day now publishes newspapers in three languages – English, Gujarati and Urdu. Speaking on the Gujarati and Urdu newspapers of the company, Ghoshal said, “Gujrati Mid-Day and Inquilab continue to go from strength to strength. We are increasing the circulation of Gujrati Mid-Day at a brisk pace and will continue to do so. Inquilab has flourished in the north and we have 14 editions in all and are far ahead of any competition in the Urdu space.”

Speaking further on the reasons behind the closure of the Bangalore and Delhi editions, Ghoshal said that the new management led by Jagran Prakashan has shifted its focus to the Mumbai and Pune editions and decided to invest a large sum in boosting Mid-Day's circulation in Mumbai.

A number of employees working in Mid-Day Delhi and Mid-Day Bangalore will be laid off. Earlier in the day, in an internal email sent to all employees, Ghoshal wrote: “Think about many of our colleagues who will have to move on. It's a testing time for them as it is for us. Right now it might look dark but I am sure both of us will come out of this with flying colours. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours. We also need to think about the added responsibilities for all of us who remain in this great organisation and who have to carry its legacy forward. Let's begin this phase of our journey with renewed vigour and conviction. In conclusion, I can only say that all dreams may not fructify but that will only encourage us to try harder and bring us closer, marching forward with a vision which only we can realise. We strive for continuity and absolutes but are reminded time and again that change is the only constant…I am sure God will give us the tenacity to walk on—and then to break into a run—and once again soar to live our destiny.”

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com