Readers living in Ireland, Scotland and parts of the West Country have already found it is a case of compact or nothing. All the signs are that the same Hobson's choice is now to be extended to the rest of the UK.
The previous script always followed the line that there were no plans to cease publication of the broadsheet edition, at least for the foreseeable future. If the current rumours turn out to be true, cynics may say an element of redefinition is needed for terms such as 'the foreseeable future'.
This would be to misunderstand Rupert Murdoch's influence within News Corporation, where he has the power to redefine the meaning of any word he wants. The cost of prolonged dual publication is simply too great.
The official announcement, when it comes,will hail the move as a great advance in the history of newspapers and judge that sales in the areas of the country where the broadsheet has already been withdrawn have been little less than a triumph.
It will be suggested that the hand of a reluctant management was forced by readers gagging for a tabloid Times.
Well, up to a point. Clearly younger readers prefer the smaller version and sales have risen - by a modest amount - as a result. But it will still be a courageous thing to tell more than 250,000 readers of the broadsheet edition that they cannot have their choice of size
Whatever the upbeat message, behind closed doors there will be a period of nervous contemplation of circulation; particularly as The Daily Telegraph has no intention of following suit.
It will undoubtedly make a virtue out of necessity and trumpet the rarity of its broadsheet-quality status.
Anecdotal evidence from the West Country suggests there will not be a mass migration of disgruntled Times readers to the Telegraph. But the take-it-or-leave-it manoeuvre may make some more willing to play the field. Subsequently, there may be a race to see whether a tabloid Times can gain younger readers quickly enough to replace those who feel they have been legged over.
Ironically, just as the tabloid moves gain momentum, largely in the hope of attracting younger readers, Newspaper Marketing Agency (NMA) research has shown that the medium's performance in this area is notably better than generally supposed.
There may have been a fall in the number of young readers, but the fragmentation of TV audiences has had a far greater effect. The NMA reports that 77% of those between the ages of 16 and 24 regularly read a newspaper, with 3.2m reading one daily, and 5.6m at least once a week. The only medium to perform better was commercial radio, regularly listened to by 81% of the audience.
Young people spend 28 minutes with a paper on a weekday and 35 at the weekend. The NMA found The Sun alone delivers 26%. According to the NMA, in the year to July ITV beat the two leading red tops' reach in the youth market on only one occasion, as 28% watched Martin Bashir's interview with Michael Jackson.
As the NMA's chief executive, Maureen Duffy, says rather laconically, perhaps the newspaper industry has been a tad too pessimistic about its ability to deliver young adults. How many of them will flock to a totally tabloid Times is another question.
30 SECONDS ON ... THE TIMES
L Launched by John Walter in 1785 as The Daily Universal Register and renamed The Times in 1788, it is the oldest national newspaper still in circulation.
L In the first half of the 19th Century, the newspaper carried significant influence - especially its political coverage. Reporters Peter Fraser and Edward Sterling helped earn the paper its 'Thunderer' soubriquet.
L In 1922, the paper was bought by John Astor. In 1966, the Astors sold it to Canadian publisher Roy Thomson.
L In the same year, The Times printed news on its front page for the first time - previously it carried only small ads.
L In 1979 an industrial dispute resulted in the paper closing down for a year. It was bought by Rupert Murdoch in 1981.
L In November 2003 The Times launched a compact edition in addition to the broadsheet version.