According to a new report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations, for the six months ended March 31, 2009, the largest daily newspapers are losing subscribers at a record pace, with circulation down 7% compared with the same period in March 2008. For Sunday newspapers, circulation was down 5.3%.
In addition to sinking circulation, newspaper ad revenue is plunging. McClatchy ad revenue plummeted 29.5% in Q1 2009 compared to the same quarter last year, while The New York Times Co. saw ad revenue plunge 27%. Zenith Optimedia predicts that ad spending for newspapers will sink 12% in 2009.
During this 6 month period ending Mar. 31, 2009:
· Circulation at the New York Times slipped 3.5% during the week and 1.7% on Sundays
· The Washington Post fell 1.6% daily and 2.3% on Sundays
· USA Today fell 7.4% during the week on a decline in copies ordered from hotels The Chicago Tribune fell 7.4% daily and 4.5% on Sunday
· The Los Angeles Times slipped 6.5% and 7.5%
· The Boston Globe plunged 13.6% during the week and 11.2% on Sundays
· The New York Daily News was down 14% during the week
· New York Post, down 20%
· The Miami Herald (-15.8%)
· The San Francisco Chronicle (-15.7%)
· The Philadelphia Inquirer (-13.7%)
· The Houston Chronicle (-14%)