» SubscribeMain section
-
Top story
US Newspaper Circulations on the Rise
NUJ New Media web site
DATELINE: 2/5/12
Good news from the Audit Bureau of Circulations in the US for those concerned about the fate of newspapers. Helped by recent rule changes that allow US newspaper publishers to include paywalled web editions, tablet editions, e-reader editions and so on, US newspaper circulation has increased in the last six months, according to latest figures posted on 1 May 2012, in some cases dramatically. These are the first year-on-year figures under the new rules. Here's the story:
The Top U.S. Newspapers for March 2012 Neal Lulofs, Executive Vice President and General Manager, ABCi
ABC released the semi-annual newspaper FAS-FAX and Audience-FAX report today. This FAS-FAX report includes top-line circulation data for all newspaper members for the six months ending March 31, 2012. Newspapers participating in Audience-FAX have additional print and online readership and website activity data included in the report.
Key Statistics
Fueled largely by increases in digital circulation and branded editions, daily circulation for the 618 newspapers reporting comparable multiday averages rose .68 percent. Circulation for the 532 newspapers reporting comparable Sunday data increased 5 percent.
On average, digital circulation now accounts for 14.2 percent of newspapers' total circulation mix, up from 8.66 percent in March 2011. Digital circulation may be tablet or smartphone apps, PDF replicas, metered or restricted-access websites, or e-reader editions. Branded editions, newspaper-owned products such as commuter, community, alternative-language or Sunday-Select type newspapers, make up 4.5 percent of newspapers' total average circulation, up from 3.36 percent in March 2011.
Today's report only includes top-line information on circulation categories like digital and branded editions. More in-depth information, such as digital distribution platforms, will be available as newspapers' Publisher's Statements are released. ABC members may also subscribe to the eFAS-FAX analyzer tool.
Although not directly comparable to today's data, the Newspaper Association of America's does maintain a chart of historical circulation information.
Due to the many ways that newspapers now distribute and market their content — metered paywalls, mobile apps, bundled subscriptions, branded editions — ABC cautions against drawing too many direct comparisons of the data in today's FAS-FAX report.
Recent Rule Changes
Significant ABC US rule changes in the past 18 months have addressed the newspaper industry's continuing transformation and publishers' and advertisers' emphasis on cross-media audience metrics, not focusing solely on paid print circulation.
The first newspaper numbers to reflect those changes were seen in 2011, and therefore, the March 2012 report marks the first time there are year-over-year numbers that reflect these changes. The changes include the introduction of "verified" circulation and branded editions, and new ways to audit and report digital editions published on websites, tablets, or smartphones.
Rules now allow newspapers more flexibility to develop publishing plans that cater to their markets and report these expanded platforms to ABC. Some newspapers may use branded editions (such as community newspapers), others may use targeted programs, and some may be focusing on their digital edition strategy. Because newspapers have various publishing plans, it is important to understand the different categories on the report and how those programs may impact a newspaper's overall circulation. Due to the many ways that newspapers now distribute and market their content — metered paywalls, mobile apps, bundled subscriptions, branded editions — ABC cautions against drawing too many direct comparisons of the data in today's FAS-FAX report.
As a refresher about what's included in "total average circulation":
The paid/verified circulation model defines paid circulation as copies purchased by an individual recipient or a specialized distribution channel (such as business/traveler). Verified circulation includes much of what used to be reported in "other" paid circulation (including third-party copies and copies distributed to schools and newspaper employees).
Branded editions are editions of the newspaper that are published at least weekly, have a different name than the member newspaper, but are labeled to include the word "edition." Branded editions may include commuter, community or alternative-language newspapers.
Digital editions are distinguished between replica and nonreplica, which both need to have restricted access. Replica editions must have the same editorial, layout and ROP advertising as the print version. Nonreplica editions must maintain the print version's basic identity, although its editorial and advertising content may differ.
The FAS-FAX report details several of these circulation categories, and each should be compared with its like category. For example, it would be incorrect to compare core newspaper and its branded editions to the circulation of just a core newspaper. More detail will become available as individual Publisher's Statements are released.
For more on digital newspapers, check out this blog about digital data in the FAS-FAX report. A fact sheet and a list of frequently asked questions about the changes are also available here.
Accessing the Full Report
The full FAS-fax report containing data on more than 800 daily and weekly US and Canadian newspapers is available in the e-Data center on ABC's website. ABC members will need their user name and password to access the report. If you are not an ABC member, you can read more about the benefits of membership on our website.
Below are a few charts pulled from today's report: the top 25 Sunday and weekday US newspapers by circulation and the top 25 US newspapers with digital editions.
You can also review historical charts for the March and September 2011 reporting periods at http://www.nujnewmedia.org.uk/index.html?id=267&category=news
Last modified: Friday, May 4, 2012
Your comments:
» Click here to add your comment.
Comments will be subject to approval and should not be defamatory, obscene, racist, in breach of copyright, or contrary to law. The CPBF is not reponsible for any views expressed here.
Previous international stories
Internet under threat
IFJ presses UN for action on media killings in 2011
Supporting Bradley Manning
EFJ condemns new wave of repression & arrests of Turkish journalists
Journalists suffer serious injuries in attacks by state security forces around Egypt
EFJ concerned by populist drift of France Soir management as owner backs far right in France
IFJ Welcomes Nobel Peace Prize Award to Yemeni Journalist
Norway gunman targeted journalists in manifesto
IFJ Conference 'Journalism in the Shadow of Terror Laws'
Bradley Manning's jail conditions improve after protest campaign
Campaign for freedom of expression growing in Turkey
Shadow of 9/11 attacks hangs over journalism,
Gareth Peirce speaks on Bradley Manning
Democratic abuses in Azerbaijan
IFJ mourns death of two photojournalists in Libya
Plea to WikiLeaks: access for all journalists; end exclusive deals
Personal security of journalists in Europe - a serious concern
EU lawmaker exhibits lobbying offers amid corruption scandal
IFJ warns over safety as journalist is killed in Libya
IFJ backs media reform as journalists are targeted in Middle East uprisings
EFJ calls for "radical surgery" not cosmetics on Hungary's media law
Free to view football - Commission welcomes Court ruling
Change the law now says EFJ as Hungary targets bloggers
Campaign Supports Egyptian Journalists
IFJ condemns "desperate tactics" as Egypt targets media
IFJ calls for end to violence against journalists in Egypt
IFJ condemns United States
Iraq war logs: An introduction
Chile's ghosts are not being rescued
EFJ urges Turkey : Free jailed journalists now
-
Notices
Events & Announcements
World Press Freedom Day
More reporters are currently imprisoned in Turkey than in any other country in the world. Only a matter of weeks ago lawyers failed to persuade a Turkish court to release a 76-year-old journalist from a Turkish internet news station.
World Press Freedom Day on Friday May 3, 2013 is being marked in Britain by a rally to highlight the dangers facing journalists in Turkey and in this podcast, Nicholas Jones speaks to Barry White, Organiser at the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and Sam Bamford, the TUC's policy officer for Eastern Europe and Africa about the importance of a campaign to highlight international press freedom.
The World Press Freedom Day rally is being staged by the National Union of Journalists at the NUJ head office, Gray’s Inn Road, London WC1 on Thursday May 2, 6pm-8pm.
DATELINE: 27/4/13
UK launch of EU media campaign
DATELINE: 13/3/13
The UK launch of a 'European Citizens' Initiative' calling for EU rules against concentration of media power will take place on Thursday March 21 from 11:00am – 12:30pm in Committee Room 4A at the House of Lords, London. Guest speakers will include actor and activist Hugh Grant (pictured), media consultant Claire Enders, Professor Steven Barnett, Barry McCall (President of the NUJ) and Marc Gruber (Director of the European Federation of Journalists).
A European Citizens' Initiative is an official petition, like a Downing Street petition. If it succeeds in gathering a million signatures across the EU, the Commission is obliged to respond.
This petition calls for the EU to act to protect media pluralism and press freedom.
CPBF Annual General Meeting
DATELINE: 1/3/13
Make a note in your diary
Saturday 13 July 2013 from 10.00am
NUJ HQ, 308/312 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1.
Leveson, media ownership, CPBF future work.
DOWNLOAD FREEPRESS NOW
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Download Freepress in PDF, ePub or mobi format. Issue 194 now available.
MEDIA FOR ALL CONFERENCE
DATELINE: 26/3/10
Papers from the Media for All Conference
MEDIA MANIFESTO
DATELINE: 26/3/10
The media’s job is to inform and entertain us but we rely on them too to tell us what our rulers and representatives are up to. In the run-up to the Iraq war the government used spin and disinformation in the media to create panic and mislead people. The truth is coming out now, but we need stronger, more independent media to be able to scrutinise governments and make informed choices.
-
Previous stories
International
Internet under threat
IFJ presses UN for action on media killings in 2011
Supporting Bradley Manning
EFJ condemns new wave of repression & arrests of Turkish journalists
Journalists suffer serious injuries in attacks by state security forces around Egypt
EFJ concerned by populist drift of France Soir management as owner backs far right in France
IFJ Welcomes Nobel Peace Prize Award to Yemeni Journalist
Norway gunman targeted journalists in manifesto
IFJ Conference 'Journalism in the Shadow of Terror Laws'
Bradley Manning's jail conditions improve after protest campaign
Campaign for freedom of expression growing in Turkey
Shadow of 9/11 attacks hangs over journalism,
Gareth Peirce speaks on Bradley Manning
Democratic abuses in Azerbaijan
IFJ mourns death of two photojournalists in Libya
Plea to WikiLeaks: access for all journalists; end exclusive deals
Personal security of journalists in Europe - a serious concern
EU lawmaker exhibits lobbying offers amid corruption scandal
IFJ warns over safety as journalist is killed in Libya
IFJ backs media reform as journalists are targeted in Middle East uprisings
EFJ calls for "radical surgery" not cosmetics on Hungary's media law
Free to view football - Commission welcomes Court ruling
Change the law now says EFJ as Hungary targets bloggers
Campaign Supports Egyptian Journalists
IFJ condemns "desperate tactics" as Egypt targets media
IFJ calls for end to violence against journalists in Egypt
IFJ condemns United States
Iraq war logs: An introduction
Chile's ghosts are not being rescued
EFJ urges Turkey : Free jailed journalists now
