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News Corp Australia revamps metro titles to prioritise COVID-19 content

News Corp Australia has repositioned its metro news brands The Daily Telegraph, Herald Sun, The Courier Mail and The Advertiser to reflect the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on Australians’ lives.

The changes include the introduction of a new eight-page section, HiberNation, providing advice and tips to help consumers during this crisis. Today’s inaugural edition provides advice for parents to help their children’s learning at home now that schools across the country are closing.

HiberNation will focus on three key news areas – health, education and jobs, business and economy – and will feature reporting from senior News Corp journalists as well as advice from international experts in their relevant fields.

Peter Blunden, chairman of the editorial board at News Corp Australia, said the changes marked a significant re-positioning of the mastheads.

“No story we’ve ever told has been so big, so rapid to evolve or so widespread.

“The content changes launched today reflect the scale and impact that all Australians are feeling due to this unfolding crisis. Our readers are turning to us in record numbers for advice and we’re adapting to meet this demand.”

The metro news brands are also implementing some significant changes to sports coverage. Despite all codes suspending or cancelling seasons, News Corp said the thirst among readers to know what is happening remains, and consumers want to know the future of their clubs and what the players are doing with their time.

As audiences spend more time at home, the papers will also include TV and entertainment guides, recipes from Taste.com.au and puzzles catered to all ages.

The changes are expected to be rolled out across News Corp Australia’s regional titles in coming days as well as websites and apps.

The changes follow the launch of a digital community noticeboard so audiences can go to one place for up-to-the-minute information on what is open, closed, the impact on schools, travel, businesses and shopping.

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