The Chronicle of the Black Country
An academic exploration of the Express & Star, tracing its historical trajectory, operational evolution, and regional significance.
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About the Express & Star
Publication Profile
The Express & Star is a distinguished regional evening newspaper based in Wolverhampton, England. It serves as a primary source of news and information for the West Midlands county and the county of Staffordshire, providing comprehensive coverage tailored to its readership.
Ownership and Editorial
Currently edited by Martin Wright, the newspaper is owned by National World, having been acquired in September 2023. Prior to this, it was under the continuous ownership of the Graham family for nearly its entire history through the Midland News Association (MNA).
Headquarters and Foundation
Established in its current form in 1889, the Express & Star traces its origins to two rival newspapers: the Evening Express (founded 1874) and the Evening Star (founded 1880). Its operational headquarters are located at Mander House in Wolverhampton.
Historical Trajectory
Genesis and Early Growth
The newspaper's lineage began with the Evening Express and the Evening Star, founded as competitors in Wolverhampton. The Evening Star, initially a liberal publication, was acquired in 1882 by Andrew Carnegie. With Carnegie's financial backing and Thomas Graham's organizational acumen, the paper flourished. By 1889, the combined entity adopted the name Express & Star under the editorship of Andrew Meikle.
Expansion and Regional Influence
Following Carnegie's departure in 1902, Thomas Graham's descendants assumed full control. Over the subsequent decades, the newspaper experienced steady expansion, extending its influence beyond Wolverhampton to encompass the entire Black Country region. An office was briefly established in Birmingham.
Navigating the Digital Age
The 21st century presented significant challenges, mirroring trends across the print media industry. Declining circulation and advertising revenues led to workforce reductions through voluntary redundancy schemes in 2006 and further cuts in 2007. Printing operations were consolidated and eventually closed in West Bromwich (2009), Wolverhampton (2011), and Ketley, Telford (2021), with printing now outsourced.
Ownership Transition
After decades of family ownership under the Claverley Group, the Express & Star, along with its sister publication the Shropshire Star, was sold to National World in September 2023, marking a new chapter in its corporate history.
Content and Editorial Focus
News and Regional Affairs
The Express & Star provides a robust mix of regional and national news. Its editorial remit is deeply rooted in serving the communities of the West Midlands and Staffordshire, offering reporting that resonates with local interests and concerns.
Sports Journalism
A significant component of the newspaper's appeal lies in its dedicated sports coverage. It maintains a strong following for its reporting on association football, with particular emphasis on the local professional clubs: Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Walsall F.C., and West Bromwich Albion F.C.
Circulation and Readership Dynamics
Print Circulation Trends
The newspaper has experienced a notable decline in print circulation over the past two decades, a trend common among regional dailies. Figures indicate a substantial reduction from a daily circulation of 174,989 in 2007 to 11,864 as of 2023. This trend reflects broader shifts in media consumption habits.
Digital Presence and Reach
Complementing its print operations, the Express & Star maintains a significant online presence. Its website, expressandstar.com, attracts approximately 1.64 million unique monthly users, generating around 8.9 million monthly page views. This digital engagement highlights the evolving landscape of regional news dissemination.
Key Personnel and Contributors
Editorial Leadership
The newspaper has seen several key editorships throughout its modern history. Martin Wright currently serves as Editor. Previous editors include Keith Harrison (2013-2018) and Adrian Faber (2002-2013), whose tenure included testimony at the Leveson Inquiry.
Notable Contributors
The Express & Star has provided early career opportunities for prominent figures in journalism and public life. Notably, Boris Johnson undertook work experience during his time as a trainee journalist. Broadcaster Sybil Ruscoe also began her reporting career at the paper. Jeremy Clarkson has cited his early writing for the Express & Star and its sister paper, the Shropshire Star, as instrumental in launching his career as a motoring columnist.
Accolades and Recognition
Prestigious Awards
The Express & Star has received significant recognition for its journalistic standards and regional impact. It was awarded Midland Newspaper of the Year in 2012 by the Midlands Media Awards. Furthermore, it achieved the distinction of Daily/Sunday newspaper of the year (above 25,000) at the Regional Press Awards for 2013, underscoring its quality and influence within the sector.
Digital Evolution
Website and Platform Development
The newspaper's digital presence began with the launch of expressandstar.com in 1997. The website underwent a significant redesign in August 2012, adopting a responsive web design to ensure optimal viewing across various devices, a pioneering move among UK regional newspapers at the time. Mobile applications for platforms including iPad, iPhone, and Android were subsequently released, further expanding its digital reach.
Strategic Initiatives
In an effort to adapt to changing revenue models, the Express & Star experimented with paid online content in 2011 under the banner Express & Star 24. However, this paywall strategy was discontinued after only nine months. The digital edition was later re-launched in 2021, offering enhanced access to news, sports, and analysis on mobile and tablet devices.
Testimony at the Leveson Inquiry
Trust and Regional Press
In March 2012, Adrian Faber, a former editor of the Express & Star, testified before the Leveson Inquiry, which investigated press standards. Faber emphasized the distinct nature of regional newspapers, highlighting their reliance on public trust. He asserted that the Express & Star had maintained high ethical standards, stating that the newspaper had never engaged in phone hacking or paid officials for stories, underscoring the integral role of trust in its operations.
Regional Editions
Geographic Focus
The Express & Star publishes various editions tailored to specific geographic areas within its coverage region. These include dedicated editions for:
- Staffordshire
- Stafford and Stone
- Walsall
- Sandwell
- Dudley and Wyre Forest
- City (Wolverhampton)
Additionally, a weekly edition was launched in Kidderminster in October 2012, replacing the Kidderminster Chronicle.
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Disclaimer
Academic and Informational Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence for academic and informational purposes. The content is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on the Express & Star, and has been refined to meet the standards of higher education discourse. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness based on the provided source, it may not encompass all nuances or the most current developments.
This is not professional media or journalistic advice. The information presented herein is intended for educational study and should not be considered a substitute for direct consultation with media professionals, historians, or industry experts. The AI and its creators are not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information provided.