Attracted by promises of bylines and boozy socials, I began writing for unapologetically sensational student tabloid, the Tab, in 2012.
With features ranging from “Tab totty” (now defunct) to Rear of the Year (still running), the controversial brand is thriving. Each month the website attracts three million readers, apparently backing the site’s boast that it provides “stories you care about” while at university (apparently student’s interests range from “A girl’s guide to the walk of shame” to “How shit is your life?” quizzes).
In its boldest move yet, the Tab has set its sights stateside. Despite only expanding beyond Cambridge in 2012, they have now launched at 45 US colleges after securing a huge $3m (£1.9m) investment. And a recent website revamp shows the brand is eager to grow with its readership: it has also announced it will now cater to the interests of graduates.But what does the success of the Tab mean for traditional local student media?
In true tabloid style, the more outrageous the content, the more successful the Tab gets, drawing huge traffic numbers and as a result, business from national advertisers with large budgets. In contrast, student newspaper budgets are heavily reliant on increasingly tight-fisted student unions: just last year the University of Sheffield threatened to downsize its newspaper, while in 2014 the University of London voted to close the London Student, over financial concerns.
Polly Winn, editor of Forge Press, the University of Sheffield’s independent newspaper, says that while the paper receives regular advertising from local businesses, interest has “dipped in the past couple of years”.
The Tab’s editor-in-chief and executive editor say the company’s financial independence enables its student journalists to hold student unions and universities to account more effectively.
Local student media also faces the challenge of leaking would-be journalist talent to the Tab, attracted by its larger reach and fringe benefits.
Luke Terry, who wrote for the Tab for three years, credits the head office team for encouraging him to keep writing. “One of the big attractions for me was the freedom. Traditional student media is far too accountable to student unions. Plus the Tab will pay you if you get a lot of views.”
A team of Tab editors liaise with each campus, offer advice, minimise the risks of being sued and pay for team socials. They say they also offer the opportunity for one student each year to win a £4,500 scholarship for a journalism master’s at City University London.
It may be that traditional student media needs to evolve in order win back readers and writers. Editor-in-Chief of The Mancunion newspaper of Manchester University, says due to the Tab’s popularity students are more frequently looking for: “quick, basic and easily skimmable reporting”, adding that they often publish stories “quickly without searching out relevant or expert people for comment”.
Exeposé at Exeter university, continues to draw in a significant readership after rethinking its content. It’s editor, Sarah Gough, says by focusing on investigative pieces, both Exeposé and the Exeter branch of the Tab can co-exist and serve completely different functions.
Like it or loathe it, The Tab is a game changer for student media. Traditional student union newspapers and magazines have their work cut out for them if they want to ensure they have a future.
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