... Seldom does a working day go past when I don’t pick up a copy of the free newspaper, Metro.
Metro is published daily, Monday to Friday, in most major UK cities and is given away free at major railway stations. You can also find copies on some metropolitan buses. I generally only read the ... Read review
Advantages: Free - it's free I tell you! Disadvantages: Possibly too brief for some
...newspaper, Metro.
Metro is published daily, Monday to Friday, in most major UK cities and is given away free at major railway stations. You can also find copies on some metropolitan buses. I generally only read the Manchester version, but have picked up London, Leeds and Birmingham editions and they all seem to be of a similar standard. The paper is normally about 40 pages long and for me is an essential daily acquisition.
...focus, Metro newspaper covers national and international news stories as per the main press. The daily content is very similar to that of any of the tabloids that you might buy, although not as sensationalist. At the moment the headlines are therefore nearly always related to the Iraq crisis or the latest celebrity to be caught up to no good. The articles tend to be fairly brief - there is no in-depth analysis and I like this, because you can get ... more
As I make the short walk into the office each morning, I must be the only person who is actually walking into Manchester Piccadilly train station. Don’t worry, I don’t have a fetish for spending time in train stations - my journey is entirely selfish. Seldom does a working day go past when I don’t pick up a copy of the free newspaper, Metro.
Metro is published daily, Monday to Friday, in most major UK cities and is given away free at major railway stations. You can also find copies on some metropolitan buses. I generally only read the Manchester version, but have picked up London, Leeds and Birmingham editions and they all seem to be of a similar standard. The paper is normally about 40 pages long and for me is an essential daily acquisition.
NEWS COVERAGE
Despite its local focus, Metro newspaper covers national and international news stories as per the main press. The daily content is very similar to that of any of the tabloids that you might buy, although not as sensationalist. At the moment the headlines are therefore nearly always related to the Iraq crisis or the latest celebrity to be caught up to no good. The articles tend to be fairly brief - there is no in-depth analysis and I like this, because you can get a good overview of all the latest stories without having to read the paper for hours. The balance between world events and more light-hearted matters is probably about right, with coverage of the major entertainment events, but none of the relentless exposition of the private lives of the rich and famous.
For the more topical news stories, the main articles will often be backed up with short Metro Briefings, which answer key questions related to an issue in the news. Once again, I find these very useful as they are kept concise and don’t require too much time to digest. On the occasions that I actually buy a national newspaper as well as pick up a copy of Metro, I find the content to be very similar, and to be honest would struggle to find a reason why there is any point paying for the other newspapers. That aside, for readers who are thirsty for information or who wish to become absorbed in a long read, Metro will be far too brief. There is also a lack of editorial content, which I like because I generally resent having to read the spurious rants of newspaper editors, but some readers may find the lack of bias rather bland.
There is very little local news coverage in the paper, but for me this is a godsend. I cannot stand local newspapers, which consistently struggle to fill the pages with local “non-stories” (e.g. a woman lost £50 in the Post Office this morning.)
SPORT AND FINANCIALS
Whilst I have little interest in any sporting events, I always think that the Sports pages of Metro are very thorough. Although they lack all the listings of football and racing results, they do cover all the current sports news stories, and to my mind this is really what you want. Once again, the editorial style is quite bland but informative and there is a refreshing absence of the jingoistic claptrap that will adorn the rear of The Sun and The Mirror.
The Business News section of the Metro is very brief and would really only provide information to readers with a passing interest. The FTSE 100 share prices are published as well as basic daily financial performance data, but for anyone working in the financial sector, I would imagine that the level of content is very inadequate. As I don’t work in that sector, I find the simplicity of the information very useful and generally find the business news much more accessible as a result. It really is a question of individual requirements.
ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE
Metro’s greatest asset for me is its superb entertainment pages. Every day Metro Life publishes film and music reviews, as well as a complete guide to what’s on in the city. In one place I have complete terrestrial and satellite television listings, as well as details of all the film showings at the various city cinemas. There are then sections for theatre, clubbing, music events, comedy clubs, exhibitions and concerts. There is even a daily listing for gay and lesbian events. Although I have occasionally bought magazines containing this sort of information, I have never seen a comparable free guide anywhere in the UK and it is absolutely invaluable. The Metro Life section increases my awareness of what’s going on in the city massively.
QUALITY OF JOURNALISM
The quality of the journalistic content is very good, although not particularly stretching. News stories are told in a matter-of-fact way and the language tends to be very impersonal. Some of the entertainment reviews are more personal - and often more entertaining - but with space constraints, they also tend to be rather brief. I have seen coverage of stories that filled four or five pages in the tabloids being covered in a short column in Metro. What this does mean is that the paper tends to be free from conjecture - there simply isn’t the space to keep dwelling on pontification and What Ifs.
ADVERTISING
Needless to say that Metro contains a fair number of advertisements to justify its existence, but for a free paper they certainly don’t dominate the pages. Indeed, I think the level of advertising is comparable with any of the paid tabloids. Metro newspaper has a more youthful feel to it, and the adverts generally seem to reflect this - I seem to find more of interest in this paper than any other free equivalent. There is a liberal dosage of colour and large font too - so you don’t find yourself straining to read reams of endlessly small black type.
The classified ads are very limited - there normally tend to be one or two pages of jobs with a few other pages of miscellaneous adverts. Given the readership of Metro, I’m surprised that the paper hasn’t tried to capitalise on these things a bit more, but at least it keep the paper compact. In keeping with most modern media, Metro itself advertises mobile phone news alerts and paid ring tones. There are also occasional special offers and there is usually at least one competition running at any one time.
OVERALL VERDICT
I would struggle to find anything wrong with this paper, if for no other reason than the fact that it’s free. If I had to specify how I would like a newspaper to look and feel, then it would be just like Metro. You get the facts and information you need without having to wade through pages of celebrity nonsense and there is a feeling of information over sensationalism. Metro is, of course, very popular and by lunchtime most copies have been taken, but if you’re an early riser or a commuter you can normally get a copy.
...in my book. Metro is the name of a national newspaper whose bits (ooo err) are customised by individual regions before it goes out. It’s published five days a week all over the country – my local one is courtesy of Trafford Park Printers. Metro is a free paper that’s available from different places depending on where you live – you can get it at tube stations in London, for example, or on busses near here. They have people ... ...story include: · METRO DIGEST Short snippets of “news” to do with celebrities, sports, politics and “normal” people – just this morning I was reading about a sandwich bar in London being forced to close because their frozen meals and mars bar menu is not posh enough for the building which houses it. · METRO WORLD 4 or 5 news stories from around the world, but not the stuff you’d get in a broadsheet for example. ...
zoe_page 16.05.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metro
Advantages: Free, funny, free, great time killer and free! Disadvantages: Made by the Daily Mail and dodgy Ink
...except The Metro! The Metro is a free paper which you should be able to find in a city near you….
So why should I want one?
It’s free, isn’t that a good enough reason!? No?! OK then, you should pick up a copy of the Metro because it’s a great newspaper. Because it’s aimed at the rush-hour workers trudging to the office every morning it has to cater for a wide range of tastes and readerships. It has all the big news ... ...on the quality. The Metro does have local jobs and businesses advertised towards the back, with I’m sure would be useful if that’s what you like reading in a paper!
Where do I get it from?
This is where it gets a bit tricky. As with all good things, there’s a catch. Not everywhere can get it. Up until recently the only time I read the Metro was when I visited my boyfriend in Coventry. But thank the lucky stars, Sheffield now prints ...
eca99ajm 10.05.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metro
Metro has now become the newspaper with the fourth biggest circulation in the country. Published in a number of regional variations around the country it has cornered the free newspaper market and is a favourite with commuters who can grab a copy as they whizz through the tube or train station of their way to work. Its popularity can quite easily be ascribed to the fact it is free and easy to get hold of. In this 8 days a week culture with 30 hours ... ...I am concerned that the Metro is not really up to scratch and people are settling for less either because it is easier to get hold of Metro or because it is free. But is it any good? I would argue NO, because there is no such thing as a free newspaper. Firstly, I don't think that the news coverage is up to scratch. With it's lax tradition of news reporting, lack lustre coverage of home and international news and frankly dire editorial standards that ...
the-venerable-bede 08.08.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metro
Advantages: Its Free! Disadvantages: Too much advertising
The Metro is a daily newspaper that is circulated across the UK and can be picked up from most major Train/Underground stations. And the best thing about it is that it is FREE!!! Yes FREE!!!!
I commute daily on the London Underground and it is one of my highlights in the morning to read through my free newspaper which is, in my opinion, far better than the tabloid newspapers which I sometimes pay for when I cant get hold of a copy of the Metro…Which ... ...So how can the Metro survive being free? Well its simple really…they survive via lots and lots of advertising. Bearing in mind the amount of commuters that will read the Metro, it is the perfect platform for companies to advertise their products and services!
●● Facts and Figures ●●
○ Metro was launched in March 1999
○ Every weekday morning some 826,921 copies are distributed across the UK
○ The ...
Donnie_Brasco 28.06.2002
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metro
Metro is a free newspaper that is distributed to commuters who travel by public transport . It has the same format nationwide but has a regional slant depending on the area you live .
When I visited Scotland I read the Scottish version . I have since read the North East and Yorkshire versions and I have to say the paper is very good.
You get on average around forty pages per issue and it is available on Mondays to Fridays.
The paper has all the ... ...paper are little columns entitled metro factfile. These cover interesting subjects such as the history of a particular street in say Sheffield . Also facts are looked at in the On this day feature which looks at key moments in history.
Further on the paper has a TV guide and a guide to the best entertainment in your area . This looks at gigs , films , shows , events, cinema and clubs etc in your area . Again very useful.
On all days except Monday ...
Gardenex 03.04.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Metro
Advantages: 24 hour good music Disadvantages: Some of the features can be crap
I've grown up with Metro Radio, from the days it used to play the worst music and have a cheesy logo to now with it's retro logo and the best music. It can live up to it's promise of the best music Metro Radio, it always has the biggest prizes, coolest tracks and best presenters. From the new guy in the morning, Marky Mark with his large chopper and the husky Alan Robson joining you in bed at night with his fantastic chat programme, Nightowls. They recently gave away a holiday to Austrailia all expenses paid for the answer to a set of three easy questions! Everyone is familiar with the broadcasters, DJ's and much-put-upon behind the scenes folk, and despite some of the features being a little risqué, Metro Radio still provides good music all the time. ...
Advantages: Wide range of music played Disadvantages: Adverts/ breaks
Having always listened to Metro Radio, alias Metro FM, i can confirm that it the air play is organized to attract 'all' listeners. Having listened to an alterative radio station for a short time, i reverted back to Metro Radio. I listen to the radio during work hours, and at home. All the presenters are easy on the ear, they dont spend hours talking over the songs and they have excellent competions. Metro Radio holds many of events for teenage listeners and the shows allow you to participate and not just be another listener. I myself won a competion when i was about 14 years old, i won alot of signed CD's. Metro Radio's playlist includes all the latest songs which are topping the charts, however it plays songs of the past which are great to hear. Don't you get sick of listening to 'whats hot in the charts' all the time. I would ...
Advantages: Great music, EXCELLENT traffic and travel, brill up-to-date news Disadvantages: Ingrid, ingrid and oh did i mention Ingrid?
Wow! so much has happened here recently Tony Horne (from the stations Flag Ship show - the breakfast slot) quit in a blaze of publicity after the station said it was "beacuse he did not want his kids growing up with Geordie Accents". This had all us Geordies up in arms! he was once quoted as being in love with our accent. However a few days later his lawyer said that this was "Not true". Whoever is to believe, it certainly must have given Metro some free publicity!
I have to be honest, i could NEVER stand his show, he talked too much, rambled on and had some dodgy windups which were not funny in the slightest, in fact were more of an embarasment for him!
However since he left the afternoon presenter Rick has moved to the morning slot - woohoo! he actually plays music!!!
Apart from the Tony incident metro is a brilliant ...
