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The Oregonian, the oldest continuously operating business in the state, will convert from broadsheet to compact format by April.

(Dave Killen/The Oregonian)

The Oregonian will transition from a broadsheet size to a compact format this year, the Oregonian Media Group announced Tuesday.

"The new format will allow for a stronger visual presentation of editorial content and advertising," said N. Christian Anderson III, president of Oregonian Media Group and publisher of The Oregonian. "With color on every page and a streamlined design, the compact will be a richer experience for our readers."

The compact size will measure about 15 inches tall by 11 inches wide, the format Homes & Gardens of the Northwest is currently printed in. The new format will have individual sections, which will be stapled.

Some sections of The Oregonian -- Friday’s A&E, Foodday + Living, Living, Health & Fitness, Sunday Business and Opinion -- will convert in February. The entire newspaper will transition to the compact format by April 2.

The compact format allows for full color on every page.

The type size will not change.

Local, national and international news will be combined into the main news section. Sports will remain as a stand-alone section, as will Business on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. On Wednesday, Foodday + Living and health news will be combined into a single features section. On Sundays, the features sections also combine into a single A&E, Living and Travel section.

"The traditional broadsheet format was due for an upgrade," said Peter Bhatia, Oregonian Media Group's vice president of content. "Today's readers want a more convenient and efficient way to consume the news that matters to them. With the new compact format, we're presenting the same quality journalism in a smarter package.”

The compact format is more common in Europe. The Oregonian’s new size will be the same width it is now but shorter.

"For 163 years, The Oregonian has changed to keep pace with the needs and expectations of our readers and advertisers," said Anderson. "Our latest redesign is just the next step in the paper's ongoing evolution."

-- The Oregonian