The broadsheet, recognized as the largest of newspaper formats, is characterized by its long vertical pages. Historically, this format has been associated with more intellectual and in-depth content, often featuring detailed stories and less sensational material compared to its tabloid counterparts. Newspapers that aim to provide comprehensive coverage and analysis of news events commonly utilize the broadsheet format. This expansive layout allows
for multiple stories on the front page, with the most important ones typically positioned "above the fold," a term referring to the upper half of the newspaper when folded.
Origins and Early Development
The broadsheet's development in Britain was influenced by a 1712 tax imposed on newspapers, which was based on their page counts. However, larger formats had long been symbols of status in printed objects, a trend that continues in many places. Outside of Britain, the broadsheet format emerged for various reasons unrelated to the British tax structure, including considerations of style and authority. In the 17th century, the broadsheet, also known as a broadside, was used for musical and popular prints. Over time, it evolved into a medium for political activism, with speeches being reprinted and circulated in this format.
With the early mechanization of the 19th century, there was an increased production of printed materials, including broadsides and the competing penny dreadfuls. During this period, newspapers across Europe began printing their issues on broadsheets. In the United Kingdom, the primary factor influencing the broadside's competition was the gradual reduction of the newspaper tax, which started in the 1830s and was eventually dismissed in 1855. This era of increased newspaper production and rising literacy rates led to a blending of broadsides and newspapers, ultimately giving rise to the modern broadsheet newspaper.
Dimensions and Printing Considerations
Broadsheet newspapers typically measure around 28 by 22 3/4 inches (711 by 578 mm) for a full broadsheet spread, which is twice the size of a standard tabloid. Australian and New Zealand broadsheets consistently use an A1 paper size per spread, measuring 841 by 594 mm (33.1 by 23.4 inches). South African broadsheet newspapers have a double-page spread sheet size of 820 by 578 mm (32.3 by 22.8 inches), with a single-page live print area of 380 x 545 mm. Some broadsheets measure 22 inches (560 mm) vertically.
In the United States, the traditional dimensions for the front page half of a broadsheet are 12 inches (305 mm) wide by 22.75 inches (578 mm) long. However, to reduce newsprint costs, many U.S. newspapers have downsized to 11 inches (279 mm) wide by 21 inches (533 mm) long for a folded page. Rate cards and specification cards often refer to the "broadsheet size" using dimensions that represent the front page "half of a broadsheet" size, rather than the full, unfolded spread. Some sources quote actual page size, while others provide the "printed area" size.
Modern printing facilities efficiently print broadsheet sections in multiples of eight pages, which include four front pages and four back pages. The broadsheet is then cut in half during the printing process. The newsprint rolls used are defined by the width necessary to print four front pages, with this width referred to as the web. The now-common 11-inch-wide front page broadsheet newspapers in the United States use a 44-inch web newsprint roll. As profit margins for newspapers have narrowed due to competition from broadcast, cable television, and the internet, there has been a push to standardize the size of the newsprint roll. The Wall Street Journal, with its 12-inch-wide front page, was printed on 48-inch web newsprint. Early adopters in the downsizing of broadsheets used a 50-inch web, resulting in 12 1/2-inch front pages. However, the 48-inch web is rapidly becoming the definitive standard in the U.S. The New York Times initially resisted this downsizing until July 2006, stating it would maintain its 54-inch web, which produced a 13 1/2-inch front page. However, the paper eventually adopted the narrower format starting Monday, August 6, 2007. Smaller newspapers also offer the advantage of being easier to handle, particularly for commuters.
Connotations and Modern Shifts
In several countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US, broadsheet newspapers are generally perceived to have more intellectual content than their tabloid counterparts. They tend to leverage their larger size to publish in-depth stories and feature less sensationalist or celebrity-focused material. This distinction is most evident on the front page, where tabloids often feature a single story dominated by a headline, while broadsheets allow for two or more stories to be displayed, with the most important ones positioned "above the fold." However, some newspapers, such as the German Bild-Zeitung and others in Central Europe, are tabloids in terms of content but utilize the physical broadsheet format.
The early 21st century saw a trend of newspapers switching to smaller sizes. In the United Kingdom, The Independent began producing both broadsheet and tabloid ("compact") editions concurrently in 2003, with identical content. The Times followed suit, though with less success, as readers expressed opposition to the change. The Independent ceased broadsheet production in May 2004, and The Times followed in November 2004. The Scotsman also transitioned to a tabloid format. The Guardian adopted the "Berliner" or "midi" format, which is slightly larger than a traditional tabloid, on September 12, 2005. In June 2017, The Guardian announced another format change to tabloid size, with the first tabloid edition published on January 15, 2018. The primary motivation cited for these shifts was that commuters prefer papers that are easier to handle on public transport, and other readers might also find smaller formats more convenient. In the United States, The Wall Street Journal made news when its overseas version converted to a tabloid on October 17, 2005. This sparked a debate in the U.S. about whether other national papers would or should follow the trend set by European papers and The Wall Street Journal. However, The Wall Street Journal's overseas edition switched back to a broadsheet format in 2015.
