Black verdict, tale of the tape

Friday's verdict was arguably the biggest news day in Canada so far this year. And four of Canada's biggest English-language newspaper newsrooms - Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, National Post and Ottawa Citizen - pulled out all, or at least most, of the stops.

Toronto Star
Amount of A1 newshole used: 80%
Number of Black-related stories on A1: 2
A1 Headline: Bail or jail for Black
Total space (full-page equivalent): About 5 pages
Number of traditional-form stories (news, features, analysis): 5
Number of opinion columns: 1
Editorial cartoon on verdict: No
Number of alternative-form stories: 5
Number of display-size photos: 6
Number of graphics: 0
Editorial on verdict: Yes: The downfall of Conrad Black
Web effort: Live breaking news by staff reporters. Reader feedback on the site as the verdict came down to give voice to the readers.

The Globe and Mail
Amount of A1 newshole used: 100%
Number of Black-related stories on A1: 1
A1 Headline: Why he fell
Total space (full-page equivalent): About 8.5 pages
Number of traditional-form stories (news, features, analysis): 12
Number of opinion columns: 3
Editorial cartoon on verdict: Yes
Number of alternative-form stories: 5
Number of display-size photos: 11
Number of graphics: 2 - Five-column grid on charges/verdicts; 6-column Q&A with original illustrations.
Editorial: Yes: The fall of Conrad Black
Web effort: Live breaking news by staff reporters. Live breaking news by staff reporters. Audio slideshow from reporter Paul Waldie looking back at the trial; html graphic showing the verdict in all charges; video coverage. Also interactive timeline, live reaction from people who know Black. Reader 'join the conversation' closed before verdict issued due to massive volume

National Post
Amount of A1 newshole used: 100%
Number of Black-related stories on A1: 2
A1 Headline: Black guilty
Total space (full-page equivalent): About 8 pages
Number of traditional-form stories (news, features, analysis): 14
Number of opinion columns: 1
Editorial cartoon on verdict: Yes
Number of alternative-form stories: 3
Number of display-size photos: 22
Number of graphics: 1 - shallow 5-column annotated stock chart of former Hollinger International (now SVN/NYSE)
Editorial: Yes: The downfall of Conrad Black
Web effort: Live breaking news by staff reporters. Special page of coverage plus a blog called "Black Board" that covered the verdict; also a series of galleries looking at key players; best quotes;highlights; key witnesses

Ottawa Citizen
Amount of A1 newshole used: About 80%
Number of stories on A1: 2
A1 Headline: Black Friday
Total space (full page equivalent): About 6 pages
Number of traditional form stories (news, features, analysis): 11
Number of opinion columns: 0
Editorial cartoon on verdict: No
Number of alternative-form stories: 1
Number of display-size photos: 9
Number of graphics: 1 - Four-column grid on charges/verdicts with mugs
Editorial: No
Web effort: Live breaking news by staff reporters. Part of larger CanWest web service