by Tatiana Repkova

The formerly paid paper Curentul has been converted to a free distributed daily and also became tabloid style February 1.

Paid circulation before the February conversion was only 4,000, and has jumped to 126,000. Total circulation of free dailies is now 326,000 - ± 23 percentpercent of the total market. Curentul plans national circulation later this year, which would increase circulation to 300,000 - now it is mainly distributed in Bucharest and Cluj.

According to our sources, Curentul obtained European Development Funds to make the conversion. The paper also uses newsstands for distribution.

Free dailies Compact (Ringier) and Express (in Arad and Timisoara) are also published in Romania. Compact was started in 2006 with a circulation of 150,000, which is expected toraise to 160,000 this month. Circulation of all free dailies in Romania is audited by BRAT. http://www.newspaperinnovation.com/index.php/2007/03/21/third-rumanian-f... March 21, 2007