Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Newspaper circulation continues to decline fast
Listen
0:50
Newspaper circulation continues to decline fast
Newspaper circulation continues to decline fast
New figures show declines in newspaper circulation are accelerating, as free information becomes more available online. The declines follow a trend in a loss of advertising revenue.
Figures released by the Audit Bureau of Circulations indicate that average daily circulation dropped more than 10-and-a-half percent between April and September, compared to a year ago. The drop during the same period in 2007 was 4.6 percent. Sunday circulation dropped, too, some 7-and-a-half percentage points in the latest six month span.
The drop hurt USA Today the most. It lost more than 17 percent of its readers and, at a circulation of 1.9 million, fell to second place behind The Wall Street Journal. Its average Monday through Friday circulation remained at just over 2 million readers. USA Today blamed its drop on fewer people traveling and buying papers at airports and hotels.
The New York Times has the third highest readership, but its circulation fell more than 7 percent. The circulation bureau compared nearly 380 newspapers across the country.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
