Devendra Fadnavis releases first look of Firstpost weekly newspaper; launch set for Republic Day

On Thursday, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis released the first look of the Firstpost newspaper owned by the media group Network18. 

Maharashtra CM @Dev_Fadnavis unveils Firstpost newspaper in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/MiaJXZTgyQ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) January 17, 2019

The weekly newspaper, which will launch on 26 January, was unveiled at the The India Business Leader Awards held at the Trident Hotel in Mumbai. Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Suresh Prabhu, Jayant Sinha were also present. The newspaper, a 20-page broadsheet, will be published every Saturday and cater to readers in Mumbai and New Delhi. Eight years after Firstpost.com became the go-to destination for the argumentative Indian, Network18, India’s most diversified media conglomerate, is all set to take the digital brand to the print platform. Firstpost will now hit the stands as a weekend newspaper and carry the same journalism gene of bold, independent and insightful opinion writing and add a reflective and contemplative coat to it for a calm weekend read. [caption id=“attachment_5916481” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union ministers Piyush Goyal, Suresh Prabhu, Jayant Sinha give a first look of the Firstpost newspaper on Thursday. Image courtesy: @CNBCTV18News[/caption] The paper has been designed by Jacek Utko, one of the most reputed designers in the world. Utko brings to looks, needs and sensibilities of a paper born in the digital era. Utko’s design will be complemented by the finest quality of newsprint and high standards of printing. The viewspaper will be hit the stands in Delhi NCR and Mumbai on Republic Day. To begin with, it will be available for subscription in certain pin codes of these cities. Subscriptions will be booked through two routes: point of contact through vendors and online through Firstpost.com. Firstpost was born on the cusp of India’s digital revolution in 2010 and has ruled the opinion and analysis space. It has cemented its place as India’s biggest and boldest digital-only viewspaper. Firstpost.com is embarking on a journey to elevate its relationship with the user from one of providing content to creating a connect. Through various soon-to-be-launched initiatives such as ‘Club Firstpost’ and the Firstpost App, we aim to engage with the users to delight them. The launch of Firstpost as a weekend newspaper is a part of that plan, explains BV Rao, Editor, Firstpost: “By taking the viewspaper from the virtual to the physical world we are signalling two things: Firstly, there is a market opportunity in the weekends for deep, thoughtful and reflective journalism, the kind that allows us to step back from the cacophony of the moment and analyse events calmly. Thus, the difference between the two products is not the quality of the content, but the kind of content." “Secondly, content is platform-agnostic, especially good content. The digital consumer reads a lot but not necessarily the best. Reading the best becomes somewhat of a lottery, dependent on whether they open the right links from among the dozens they are dumped with every day. Firstpost print content, arranged to enable quick access in one place, will provide that reading pleasure to digital readers as well. Existing digital readers can access the content free for a limited period and then signal their readiness to put a premium on the content they cherish.” Praveen Swami, Group Consulting Editor, Network18 says, “Firstpost is a new kind of newspaper. Instead of the usual, mundane recounting of events already well-known to readers through digital media and television, every single article aspires to exceptionality: to offer a unique perspective; to excavate new information; to bring to life a new story”. Aiming to change the way in which the consumer perceives newspapers, Firstpost emphasises on narrative, long format journalism with a focus on national politics, culture, and art and being a mix of hard and soft feature news. Speaking on the launch, an elated Rahul Kansal, Business Head, Print & Brand Advisor, Network18, said, “I am extremely proud to be a part of this milestone in the journey of Network18’s growing news prowess. Firstpost sees itself as a ‘viewspaper’ with a focus on politics and will offer a ringside view of the complex democracy and society of our multi-dimensional nation. The offering will serve discerning readers looking for an intelligent read, many of whom feel that Indian newspapers have dumbed down in their bid to capture the mass market.” Disclaimer: Firstpost is owned by Network18 media conglomerate owned by Reliance Industries, which also runs CNN-News18 and CNBC-TV18.