NI plans redesign for the News of the World

by MATTHEW COWEN, Campaign 10-Nov-00

News International is planning a revamp of the News of the World in early 2001 as it attempt to boost its circulation to five million.

News International is planning a revamp of the News of the World in early 2001 as it attempt to boost its circulation to five million.

The publisher is understood to be looking at options including a redesign of the main paper and a shake-up of its magazine offering. Under consideration are plans to replace the Sunday magazine with a TV listings-based title. This is expected to lead to the launch of a second News of the World supplement which, observers say, will focus on celebrity coverage.

The News of the World has undergone a wave of internal changes since the arrival of Rebekah Wade as editor in May this year. Wade was said to have been given a free hand to change the paper.

She responded quickly, bringing in her former colleague Andy Coulson from The Sun as her deputy. The heavyweight political columnist Sion Simon replaced Richard Stott in July. Wade also poached Ian Kirby and Keith Gladdis from the Liverpool Echo for the political editor and the deputy political editor positions respectively. Wade has also poached Rav Singh, previously the deputy editor of The Sun.

The News of the World had a circulation of more than four million for the six months from April to September. Wade's stance on the Sarah Payne paedophile case did not lower circulation.

The News of the World declined to comment.