Australian newspapers resist global decline

According to the Bureau, newspapers across the metropolitan, national and regional categories saw overall circulations fall 0.9 per cent year-on-year.

In comparison, the US Audit Bureau of Circulations saw daily circulation of newspapers drop seven per cent for the six months ending 31 March, and the British Audit Bureau of Circulations saw a drop of four per cent during the same period.

In light of the economic downturn and decreased spend in classified sections across sectors including real estate, motor vehicles and employment, Australia’s top three broadsheets by circulation, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, increased their combined Monday to Friday sales by 0.2 per cent year-on-year. Circulation of Saturday metro newspapers declined by only 0.6 per cent.

“The latest ABC circulation figures show Australian newspaper sales continue to be robust, with Australians collectively buying over 20 million newspapers every week,” said Tony Hale, CEO of The Newspaper Works, a body representing the newspaper industry in Australia established by Fairfax Media/Rural Press, News Ltd, APN News & Media and West Australian Newspapers.