Compact (newspaper) - Definition and Overview

A compact newspaper is a British term referring to a supposedly broadsheet- quality newspaper that comes in a tabloid-format. It first started when the Independent did a smaller format for London’s commuters to read on the train/tube/bus, as it was difficult to read them. Then other people liked the format so the Independent distributed around the country, the other newspapers “The Times” and “The Scotsman” copied the format as the Independent increased sales.

The term arises from a 1970s term coined by the Daily Mail, although that newspaper has long since admitted that it is a tabloid.

See Also

• tabloid
• broadsheet
• The Independent