DAG (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
DAG was a freely distributed Dutch-language tabloid newspaper
in the Netherlands
. The paper was released jointly by publishing company PCM
and telecommunications company KPN
. Its last issue was released on October 1, 2008, but the associated website DAG.nl continues to be maintained.
In February 2007, plans were revealed in the media about a new free newspaper which would be part of a "cross-medial
platform", providing people with news using a combination of papers, the internet, and mobile phones. The first edition of DAG was published on May 8, 2007 with a circulation of 300.000 copies, accompanied with the launch of the website. It competed with long-time free newspapers Metro
and Sp!ts, as well as De Pers
which had started on January 23 that year. The paper and the website were noted for its clear layout, its extensive use of images, and much attention for reactions of the general public. It was reported that in the one and a half year that followed, a maximum of 20 million euro
would be invested. In June, circulation was raised to 400.000, and a Saturday magazine edition and an experimental delivery service were launched.
On September 29, 2008, PCM and KPN announced that the newspaper would cease to exist, with the last issue being released on October 1. The reason was that the direction of DAG had failed to bind enough advertisers, mainly because of the fierce competition of the other free newspapers. The worsening global financial situation around that time also made it more likely that companies would save money on advertisement and sponsoring. The digital activities of DAG (online, mobile, and narrowcasting) were continued by PCM without support of KPN.
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. The paper was released jointly by publishing company PCM
PCM Uitgevers
PCM Uitgevers was a Dutch publishing company. Until 2007 Apax Partners held a controlling stake in the company. In December 2009, it merged with De Persgroep to become De Persgroep Nederland...
and telecommunications company KPN
KPN
KPN is a Dutch landline and mobile telecommunications company, including both 2G and 3G mobile operations...
. Its last issue was released on October 1, 2008, but the associated website DAG.nl continues to be maintained.
In February 2007, plans were revealed in the media about a new free newspaper which would be part of a "cross-medial
Crossmedia
Cross Media is a media property, service, story or experience distributed across media platforms using a variety of media forms...
platform", providing people with news using a combination of papers, the internet, and mobile phones. The first edition of DAG was published on May 8, 2007 with a circulation of 300.000 copies, accompanied with the launch of the website. It competed with long-time free newspapers Metro
Metro International
Metro International is a Swedish media company based in Luxembourg that publishes the Metro newspapers. Metro International's advertising sales have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 41% since launch of the first newspaper edition in 1995. It is a freesheet, meaning that distribution is...
and Sp!ts, as well as De Pers
De Pers
De Pers is a freely distributed Dutch language tabloid newspaper in the Netherlands, with a circulation of around 200,000. Its competitors are Metro and Sp!ts. The first edition of De Pers was published on January 23, 2007....
which had started on January 23 that year. The paper and the website were noted for its clear layout, its extensive use of images, and much attention for reactions of the general public. It was reported that in the one and a half year that followed, a maximum of 20 million euro
Euro
The euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
would be invested. In June, circulation was raised to 400.000, and a Saturday magazine edition and an experimental delivery service were launched.
On September 29, 2008, PCM and KPN announced that the newspaper would cease to exist, with the last issue being released on October 1. The reason was that the direction of DAG had failed to bind enough advertisers, mainly because of the fierce competition of the other free newspapers. The worsening global financial situation around that time also made it more likely that companies would save money on advertisement and sponsoring. The digital activities of DAG (online, mobile, and narrowcasting) were continued by PCM without support of KPN.