20 Minutos is Spain's largest general-circulation newspaper. José Antonio
Martínez Soler started the paper in his basement and has watched readership
grow to 2.3 million.
The free dailies have seen a dramatic rise in distribution in Europe, with their
circulation rising to 23 million. More than half of the circulation of free
newspapers in Europe is in giveaways by traditional newspaper publishers. These
old-line companies are also investing in pioneers like 20 Minutos, which has
sold a 20 percent stake to the Spanish media conglomerate Zeta Group.
Today, almost half the newspapers in Spain are distributed free. Advertising
has tended to be slanted towards gadgets for the young, professional readership.
20 Minutos now has a Web site with the aim of attracting other types of advertising.
Metro is currently the greatest rival to 20 Minutos.