Newspapers desperate to entertain

Newspapers are struggling these days. It seems fewer and fewer people read a newspaper regularly, and circulation revenue has decreased as a result. So the press is trying all kinds of ploys to attract "readers", even going so far as to give away DVDs of full-length movies each week in the attempt.

Today, for example, the following papers are giving away the following films:

• The Daily Telegraph - Whistle Down the Wind
• The Independent - Wings of Desire (aka Der Himmel über Berlin)
• The Times - The Last Emperor

In keeping with the national trend, my wife and I rarely buy a weekend paper. However, in recent weeks we've been tempted to do so just to obtain the free DVD with which to improve our weekend viewing. Not long ago, your choice of newspaper was often seen as an expression of your political views. Now it's more likely to reflect your taste in films!

You can read more about how these DVD offers are turning readers into "newspaper tarts" at the BBC's web site (see How can papers afford to give away DVDs?).