The Evening Standard, a name synonymous with London’s bustling media landscape, has been a pillar of the capital’s news and culture for nearly two centuries. What began in 1827 as a daily, paid-for newspaper has undergone a dramatic transformation, adapting to a rapidly changing world of digital media, shifting commuter habits, and evolving business models. In 2025, the publication, now known as The London Standard, stands as a testament to media resilience, navigating its future as a digital-first, weekly print title. 

A Legacy Forged in Print: The Evening Standard’s Storied History

The story of the Evening Standard is one of perpetual evolution. From its inception as The Standard in 1827, it served as a key source of information for Londoners, particularly during the evening commute. For over a century, it was a paid-for newspaper, its pages filled with breaking news, political commentary, and local London stories. This model remained largely unchanged until the 21st century, when the rise of the internet and the economic pressures on print journalism forced a radical shift.

In 2009, under the ownership of Russian businessman Evgeny Lebedev, the paper made a bold and controversial move: it became a free daily newspaper. This decision, a pioneering step in the UK, was designed to combat declining readership and attract a mass audience. 

The free distribution model, primarily targeting commuters at tube and train stations, was an immediate success, significantly boosting its circulation and making it a ubiquitous part of London life. For over a decade, the orange-branded newspaper was a familiar sight in the hands of millions of Londoners.

However, the challenges continued to mount. The COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a mass shift to remote work, had a devastating impact on its commuter-based distribution model. With city offices emptied and train stations quiet, the paper’s core readership vanished almost overnight. This, combined with broader financial pressures and a structural decline in the print advertising market, necessitated another major overhaul.

The Pivot to a Weekly Model: A New Chapter in 2025

On September 26, 2024, the daily edition of the Evening Standard ceased, and the publication was reborn as The London Standard, a free weekly newspaper. This strategic decision was a direct response to the financial challenges the company faced, having reported significant losses in the years leading up to the change. The new model, with an initial print run of 150,000 copies, is a deliberate move away from breaking news and towards a more considered, long-form journalistic approach.

The new weekly edition, distributed every Thursday, focuses on:

In-depth analysis and commentary: Rather than competing with the instantaneous nature of digital news, the weekly paper provides a deeper dive into key issues affecting London.

Lifestyle and culture features: The content is heavily geared toward London’s vibrant cultural scene, including theater, art, music, and dining.

Journalism of record: The paper aims to be a high-quality “upmarket celebration of the city,” offering content that is both engaging and a lasting record of London life.

This pivot is part of a “digital-first” strategy, with the website, www.standard.co.uk, now serving as the primary source for breaking news and real-time updates. The print edition, while reduced in frequency, is positioned as a premium product for a “culturally savvy, desirable audience.”

The Digital-First Strategy: How to Engage with The London Standard

For the modern reader, engaging with The London Standard is a seamless process, primarily driven by its digital platform. Here is a step-by-step guide to navigating the new ecosystem:

Accessing the Digital Content

The Website: The official website, www.standard.co.uk, is the hub for all of the publication’s content. It is updated throughout the day with breaking news, sport, and business updates.

Mobile App: For on-the-go access, the mobile app provides a streamlined experience, allowing users to receive push notifications for breaking news and browse articles in a clean, mobile-friendly format.

Social Media: Follow the publication on its various social media channels (e.g., X, Instagram, Facebook) for real-time headlines and curated content, especially from its lifestyle and culture sections.

Finding the Weekly Print Edition

The weekly edition of The London Standard is a free publication, with copies available from designated distributors and key locations across the capital. Look out for distributors at major train and tube stations, as well as in coffee shops and other public spaces. The Thursday distribution schedule makes it a part of the city’s weekly rhythm, a distinct experience from the former daily model.

Engaging with Specialized Content

Podcast Collection: The publication has a growing podcast collection that provides in-depth interviews and discussions on a range of topics, from politics to culture.

Special Reports: The digital platform and weekly paper often feature special reports on critical issues, such as London’s housing crisis, the impact of AI on the workplace, or the city’s climate challenges. These reports align with the paper’s new focus on deeper analysis.

Key Trends and Statistics in 2025

The media landscape in 2025 continues to be a challenging environment, but The London Standard is actively adapting. Here are some of the key trends and statistics influencing its trajectory:

Financial Performance: The financial challenges that prompted the shift to weekly publication are still a key concern. As of May 2025, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £19.6 million in its last financial year as a daily, a slight improvement from the previous year. The business’s leadership has stated that the new weekly model has shown a “significant improvement in year-on-year trading performance,” though the long-term success of this strategy remains to be seen.

Circulation and Readership: The switch to a weekly model saw the print circulation drop to 150,000 copies, a fraction of its former daily distribution. However, the publication estimates an initial readership of 375,000, assuming 2.5 readers per copy. This is a deliberate trade-off, prioritizing profitability and a more engaged audience over mass circulation.

The Rise of AI in News: The publication has been exploring the use of generative AI, particularly in a creative capacity. This is part of a broader trend across the media industry, with outlets using AI to streamline content creation and find new ways to engage audiences.

Hybrid Work and Commuting: The lasting impact of the pandemic on commuting habits continues to be a major factor for The London Standard. The decline in daily office attendance has made the daily free paper model unsustainable, reinforcing the decision to pivot to a weekly publication that is less reliant on the morning and evening rush hour.

FAQs

Why did the Evening Standard stop being a daily newspaper?

The newspaper stopped its daily print run in September 2024 due to significant financial losses and a major shift in reader habits, particularly the decline in commuter traffic following the COVID-19 pandemic. The daily free distribution model became unsustainable, leading to the decision to pivot to a weekly print and digital-first strategy.

What is the new name of the newspaper?

The newspaper has been renamed The London Standard. It is published weekly, every Thursday, and continues to have a strong digital presence at www.standard.co.uk.

Is the weekly print edition still free?

Yes, the weekly print edition of The London Standard is distributed for free at various locations across London, including major train and tube stations.

Who is the editor of The London Standard?

Dylan Jones is the Editor at Large of The London Standard. He joined the publication as a new editor-in-chief and has played a key role in shaping its new direction.

How can I read the Evening Standard’s content online?

You can access all of the publication’s content on its website, www.standard.co.uk. The site is updated in real-time with breaking news, while the weekly print edition focuses on deeper analysis and features.

Final Thoughts

The story of the Evening Standard is a powerful case study in media evolution. It has navigated the seismic shifts of the past decade by reinventing itself, moving from a paid-for daily to a free daily, and now to a digital-first, weekly print title. In 2025, The London Standard is not just surviving but is actively seeking a new path forward, one that leverages its legacy as a trusted source of London news and culture while embracing the realities of the digital age.

The success of its new model will depend on its ability to build a robust digital subscription base, attract and retain a premium advertising audience, and maintain its journalistic integrity. As it continues its journey, the paper remains a vital and influential voice in the UK’s capital, a city that, like the newspaper itself, is constantly changing and adapting.

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