The first edition of the tabloid-size daily newspaper, The Times, went out free to Sunday Times subscribers.

Since then, the paper has hit the streets and gone from strength to strength. At the moment it is on sale through street vendors, Pick ‘n Pay, and BP Express Stores.

The transformation of the Sunday Times website into The Times Online at the same time that the paper launched on 5 June 2007 has been extremely successful and is now one of the top content destinations in South Africa. One of the things that sets it apart is the fantastic new Times Multimedia portal and there is an exciting mobile offering coming soon as well as a complete site re-design — so expect another busy year ahead.

Bizcommunity published an article on The Times first birthday which mentions the exact details and I think it’s a great article not just because I’m quoted in it ;-)

Here is an excerpt:

The Times, the morning daily newspaper from the Sunday Times stable, officially celebrates its first year today, Thursday, 5 June 2008, and according to Avusa Media, the positive public uptake the daily has exceeded its expectations. “In our first year of operation, not only have we boldly catapulted the company into a new media era but also succeeded as a new South African daily newspaper where many others have failed,” says The Times editor Ray Hartley.

Happy Birthday.

UPDATE (6/6)
Ray Hartley, Editor of The Times, takes us through some of his best front pages in this exclusive photo story.