Delhi tabloid market is all set to heat up. Mumbai’s Mid Day Group has acquired the Delhi Mid Day title from the late Lalit Suri-owned Bharat Hotels Group. Mumbai Mid Day is a highly successful afternoon newspaper. Delhi Mid Day, though it has been publishing for the last 15 years, has failed to make an impact in the market place. With the title going to an afternoon newspaper specialist, Delhi Mid Day is likely to get a makeover.
The entry of Mumbai Mid Day in Delhi has to be put in context. HT Media and The Times of India Group have jointly launched a compact morning newspaper for the young audience called Metro Now. The paper was launched on February 5. Metro Now is on the tabloid lines although it’s a morning paper. On the other hand, India Today Group already owns an afternooner Today. The group is working on launching Today as a morning compact in April this year not only in Delhi but also in other cities. So there is action brewing in this space.