Times of India is apparently readying itself to launch its Chennai edition. At Rs.2. These are unconfirmed reports though.
The average Madrasi has heard this many times before but this time it seems to be more real. TOI has been handing over advertising materials and soliciting subscriptions in select neighbourhoods in the city.
A few newsagents I spoke to confirmed TOI’s entry. One of them said something that is the subject matter of this blog: “Sir, The Hindu is planning to reduce its price and sell at Rs.2, to counter TOI”.
Assuming TOI would price itself at Rs.2, will the venerable Hindu reduce its price?
Why should it, some may ask. After all, it countered Deccan Chronicle’s Re.1 assault without reducing its price. And successfully too.
But this is TOI - with a respected pedigree and roaring circulation that has made it the leader among English newspapers in India.
Will ‘The Hindu’ be cheapening its image if it panicked and reduced its price?
Or, if it didn’t, and stay put at its current price, will its die-hard users ditch The Hindu. After all, The Hindu has been the reason why most Madrasis woke up! Will they wake up to TOI instead, to save a few bucks.
Will TOI pull the rug under ‘The Hindu’? Or would the grand old man of Mount Road send TOI packing back.
What do you think The Hindu should do?
