News Corp Australia is transforming the content of its metro news brands to reflect the unprecedented changes Coronavirus is having on Australian lifestyles.
In the biggest single repositioning of the mastheads in living memory, today’s editions of The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier-Mail and The Advertiser feature significant changes to pivot them as the nation’s leading source of trusted news and information about the COVID-19 crisis.
The changes include the introduction of a new eight-page section, HiberNation, to provide practical advice and tips to help Australians with their lives during this crisis. Today’s inaugural edition provides expert advice for parents to help their childrens’ learning at home now that schools across the country are closing.
HiberNation will focus on three key news areas – health; education; and jobs, business and economy – and will feature quality reporting and insights from senior News Corp journalists as well as informed advice from acknowledged international experts in their relevant fields.
As audiences spend more time at home, the papers will also include TV and entertainment guides, recipes from Australia’s number one food media brand Taste.com.au, as well as puzzles catered to all ages.
The changes are expected to be rolled out across News Corp Australia’s regional titles in coming days as well as websites and apps.
The changes follow the launch of a digital community noticeboard so audiences can go to one place for up-to-the-minute information on what is open, closed, the impact on schools, travel, businesses and shopping.
The metro news brands are also implementing some significant changes to sports coverage. Despite all codes suspending or cancelling seasons there remains enormous thirst among readers to know what is happening, what the future of their clubs is and what the players are doing with their time.
Peter Blunden, chairman of the editorial board at News Corp Australia said the changes marked a significant re-positioning of the mastheads to cement their role as the nation’s leading source of trusted news and information on Coronavirus.
“No story we’ve ever told has been so big, so rapid to evolve or so widespread.
“The content changes launched today reflect the scale and impact that all Australians are feeling due to this unfolding crisis. Our readers are turning to us in record numbers for advice and we’re adapting to meet this demand.”
