London’s Evening Standard is set to cease its daily print edition, transitioning to a weekly publication due to changing commuter habits and significant financial losses. This move marks a pivotal change for the newspaper, which has been a daily staple since its inception in 1827. The decision follows a notable drop in circulation from 850,000 copies to 250,000 over the past five years, alongside financial losses amounting to £84.5 million over six years.

The shift to remote working and the introduction of Wi-Fi on London’s underground network were cited as major factors impacting the newspaper’s sustainability. The publication, owned by Evgeny Lebedev, famous for converting the paper to a free distribution model in 2009, has struggled to maintain its financial viability despite these changes.

Paul Kanareck, the newspaper’s chair, communicated the transition to staff, emphasizing a focus on more in-depth weekly content and enhancing its digital platforms, which attract 12 million visitors monthly. The restructuring plan includes consultations with staff and external stakeholders to ensure a profitable future for the brand, potentially impacting staff roles, particularly those involved in print production and distribution.