Observer published by Tortoise 🐢

[Bob Buzzard]

The last Guardian version of The Observer is this Sunday. Will anybody read the new Tortoise version? They’ve been quiet about publicising it or saying how you might subscribe to it or anything practical like that. 

[Insuflo]

No. I’ve read the Guardian and the Observer for forty-odd years but I haven’t bought a printed Observer this century; I only read them online. I haven’t bought a Saturday Guardian for at least twenty years and have bought a printed weekday Guardian twice: once when it went to a berliner format and once when it became a tabloid, just to see what they were like. I might buy an Observer one Sunday this summer to see what it’s like before it inevitably disappears for good.

I subscribe to the Guardian but there is zero chance of me taking out a separate subscription for the Observer. It and the Graun have been declining in standard for a long time and are ever more padded out with lifestyle crap rather good reportage and analysis. My Guardian subscription has gone up 20% this month but its worth to me is lower than it has ever been.

[Sue]

52 minutes ago, Insuflo said:

No. I’ve read the Guardian and the Observer for forty-odd years but I haven’t bought a printed Observer this century; I only read them online. I haven’t bought a Saturday Guardian for at least twenty years and have bought a printed weekday Guardian twice: once when it went to a berliner format and once when it became a tabloid, just to see what they were like. I might buy an Observer one Sunday this summer to see what it’s like before it inevitably disappears for good.

I subscribe to the Guardian but there is zero chance of me taking out a separate subscription for the Observer. It and the Graun have been declining in standard for a long time and are ever more padded out with lifestyle crap rather good reportage and analysis. My Guardian subscription has gone up 20% this month but its worth to me is lower than it has ever been.

Same.

[Bob Buzzard]

I love the Guardian and the Observer - I’m intrigued to see what the 🐢📰 version will be like. I read the daily iPad digital editions of Guardian / Observer. 

[holloway]

It certainly wont be the same as many regular writers have decide not to stay. Stewart Lee among them, his column was worth buying the paper alone.

[Bob Buzzard]

Has Andrew Rawnsley stayed on?

[just_browsing]

I first subscribed to Tortoise two or three years ago, and also subscribe to the Guardian, and eg Byline and various others - I do feel it is important to support good media if you can. Tortoise have done some interesting stuff, tried to really reach out to readership and have been quite trailblazing on topical podcasts too. Having said that, I still can't quite see how it all fits with the Observer and I worry it will make both worse as they have different bases and dynamics in my view. 

[malumbu]

On 24/04/2025 at 12:23, holloway said:

It certainly wont be the same as many regular writers have decide not to stay. Stewart Lee among them, his column was worth buying the paper alone.

Stewart Lee, who I have seen numerous times, played a gig 18 months ago in Peckham, turning up late and doing around 12 mins of an expected headliner slot.  He has no social media presence and is uncontactable.  I complained to the ticket agents and promoters to no avail. 

Obviously I wouldn't boycott a paper due to this incident. With hard copy print declining more liberal media need support irrespective of how easy it is to pick holes.  The decline of regional and local papers has compounded the issue of so many drawing their information from the right wing/populist press, and unverified reports on social media.

[Bob Buzzard]

So far finding it a bit underwhelming - will await Sunday’s offering 📰

[Bob Buzzard]

Quite enjoyed it on Sunday!

[Sephiroth]

That editorial about EU and the Nick Clegg article can get in the sea tho - pure cakeism from 2015/2016