Request ID: FOI-0672-2122 Date published: 26 July 2021
You asked
How much does it cost TfL for five days full page adverts in the Metro newspaper. Is TfL the owner of the Metro or have a financial interest in this paper.
We answered
TfL Ref: 0306-2122
Thank you for your request received by us on 29 April 2021asking for information about bus adverts in the Metro newspaper. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I understand that the majority of the points you have raised in your correspondence, as attached, have been answered by our Customer Services team separately. We are addressing points 8 and 9 of your letter under the FOI Act. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: How much does it cost TfL for five days full page adverts in the Metro newspaper and is TfL the owner of the Metro or have a financial interest in this paper.
TfL has not placed full page adverts across five days in the Metro newspaper. The Metro’s rate card cost for a colour page is £40,007. TfL would expect to pay significantly less than this, as the actual costs would depend on a number of factors namely: the circulation of the paper at the time of the negotiation, if there was any flexibility on the day of week the advert could appear or the preferred position in the paper as well as the negotiation process to achieve a discounted rate vs. the rate card.
TfL is not the owner of the Metro newspaper. Please see the following link for further information: https://www.dmgmedia.co.uk/.
If you are considering submitting a further FOI request please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. Where requests are made, please note that our response time may be impacted by the current situation.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely
Sara Thomas FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
