Price wars, battles for the advertising pie and a bitter fight for eyeballs has not stopped arch rivals the Times of India and the Hindustan Times from forging a mutually beneficial partnership. In a move that could well set a precedent for the competitive newspaper business, HT media and TOI will join hands to publish a morning tabloid on the lines of Mumbai Mirror.

For now a Statement of Intent or an MoU has been signed between the two. However, both parties have refused to part with details. But CNBC-TV18 understands that a printing and non-poaching arrangement has been agreed on.

This will rule out a Delhi edition of TOI's Mumbai Mirror. This marriage will result in a 'compact' daily morning paper for Delhi, likely to titled 'Delhi Post' or 'The Metropolis'.