The Sun

Profile of The Sun

  • The Sun is a daily tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom.
  • The newspaper was first printed on 15th September 1964.
  • Known for its easily accessible and sensationalist content, it concentrates on celebrity news, sports, and scandalous stories.
  • Among British mainstream media, this newspaper is known for its populist and entertaining approach to news content.

Target Audience

  • The primary audience is mainstream working class people, often male audience, aged between 18-49 years.
  • The reader profile of The Sun is typically a C1/C2 socio-economic classification that denotes lower middle class or skilled working class.
  • They target people who prefer an informal and entertaining approach to news rather than detailed analysis.

Distinctive Features

  • The Sun frequently uses bold and attention-grabbing headlines to summarise news stories.
  • The paper consists of sections including news, sport, business and entertainment.
  • It is known for its distinctive Page 3 feature, which historically included a large photograph of a topless model, though this was discontinued in 2015.

Editorial Stance and Purpose

  • The editorial stance of the Sun is typically right-leaning and often supports the Conservative Party.
  • The Sun tends to publish news that is entertaining and sensationalised to attract a wide readership.
  • It has been known to run campaigns on issues that are informal, controversial, and emotionally engaging.

Style and Imagery Usage

  • The Sun incorporates bold typography, attentions-grabbing headlines, and colourful layouts.
  • The usage of large images and photos is prevalent, catering to the tastes of its target audience.
  • The newspaper’s style is conversational and catchy, using slang and colloquial language.

Impact and Significance

  • The Sun is one of the most widely read newspapers in the UK, showing significant influence over public opinion.
  • It has drawn both praise for its widely accessible content, and criticism for its sensationalism and lack of depth in reporting.
  • It plays a role in popular culture, with its content often referenced or parodied in other media.

Advertisement Strategy

  • Advertisements in The Sun primarily target the working-class demographic, featuring products and services that match their lifestyle.
  • The Sun carries ads for household goods, supermarkets, and betting websites, in line with their readers’ interests and spending habits.
  • Their ads are often bold, colourful, and simple, reflecting the style of the paper itself.