Mail Today silently launches Chandigarh edition

Mail Today made a silent entry into Chandigarh on 5 January surprising readers with a 40-page edition.

Confirming the news, Ashish Bagga, CEO, India Today Group, said, “After establishing Mail Today as a strong newspaper in the leadership set, and the only brand that is growing, as opposed to the other bigger players like TOI and HT, and that to in probably the world's largest and most crowded English newspaper market, it gives us great confidence to set our sights on other potential markets for this unique and differentiated newspaper.”

Asked why the group opted for Chandigarh as the destination to launch the new edition, Bagga said, “Chandigarh was a natural choice, given its proximity to Delhi, the demographic profile of its population, advertising potential and the big gap for a modern trendy and happening daily newspaper.”

Although, the publishers have not disclosed the total number of first day prints, but Bagga claims that the Chandigarh has given an encouraging welcome. “Our day one print order was a sell out and I can see Mail Today fast becoming Delhi, Chandigarh and North India's leading newspaper that respects, engages and connects with the ‘new Indian’, in every which way.”

According to reports, the first day print of the tabloid was printed at The Indian Express press in Panchkula. The tabloid will focus more on national news than region specific news, and cater to various parts of Punjab, Himachal and Haryana. Sources from the organisation shared that currently, Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Ludhiana and Amritsar would be target points in Punjab, while  Karnal in Haryana, and Shimla and Solan in Himachal Pradesh would also be targeted.

The regular Chandigarh edition from Monday to Saturday will be of 40 pages, priced at Rs 2.5. On Sundays, however, it will have special supplements taking the total page count to 48 pages, priced at Rs 3.5. Sources confirm that the editorial team will actively start functioning from Chandigarh in the next 10 days. Till then the edition is being managed by the Delhi editorial team.