Free Dutch dailies reinvent local competition
Most markets in the Netherlands, like in most western countries, are only served by one paid newspaper. Except for most capitals, the one-paper-city is the model. But also like in other countries, free dailies might increase competition here. In the Netherlands, Metro already introduced local editions for Rotterdam and Amsterdam. In smaller communities competition also increases. In Almere (170,000 inhabitants), Telegraaf Media Group (paid paper De Telegraaf, free daily Spits) introduced Almere Vandaag, a free door-to-door local paper in 2005, first four issues every week, in 2006 five times a week (Tuesday-Saturday) – circulation is 75,000. In Barneveld (30,000 inhabitants) leading regional publisher Wegener launched Barneveld Vandaag in November 2006, to compete with successful local tabloid Barneveldse Krant (published six days a week). The free paper is published four days a week.