Print media circulation plunges

The latest circulation figures for print media released by the Audited Bureau of Circulation (ABC) makes for disconcerting reading. We have been hearing of the imminent demise of the print media for some time, all of which proved woefully premature. But the latest figures suggest there may be real cause for concern in some publishing houses. Based on these trends, it looks certain that some titles may not survive the next few years. 

One thing that may change this outlook is a turn in the economy, though that doesn’t look likely as things stand. The swing towards online media appears to play a significant role in the declining readership of print media. Only two significant titles show growth: Soccer Laduma and The Post. For the rest, the news is not good. 

Here’s what the ABC found (figures show year-on-year changes as for the fourth quarter of 2014):

Circulation for Saturday Beeld has fallen to 46 043 from 58 411, and Pretoria News Saturday to 7 839 from 10 126. The Saturday Star is down to 58 926 from 73 487.Saturday Burger has fallen to 70 666 from 75 853. The Weekend Argus Saturdayedition has grown to 38 728 from 37 780 but the Weekend Argus Sunday edition has fallen to 16 627 from 17 341. Saturday Dispatch has climbed to 20 925 from 20 679.

City Press has declined to 108 927 from 124 418 and Rapport to 156 383 from 187 288. The Sunday Times falls to 385 080 from 411 186. Sunday Tribune is down to 63 622 from 68 277. Sunday Sun is down to 163 016 from 177 257 and Sunday World to 102 401 from 116 659. The Sunday Independent recently resigned.

Ilanga Langesonto has declined to 49 738 from 56 074, Isolezwe ngeSonto to 85 301 from 88 026 and Isolezwe ngoMgqibelo to 76 837 from 82 339.

In terms of the weeklies: Ilanga has fallen to 90 008 from 95 994, but The Post grew to 46 960 from 43 975. The Mail & Guardian fell to 33 060 from 51 551. Soccer Ladumahas grown to 309 721 from 307 275.

Biggest circulating dailies

1. Daily Sun: 283 216
2. The Times: 142 603
3. Isolezwe: 119 846
4. The Star: 101 711
5. Sowetan: 99 403
6. Son: 84 870
7. Beeld: 62 766
8. Die Burger: 59 895
9. The Citizen: 57 385
10. Cape Times: 33 986 + [new entry]

Business Day has fallen out of the Top 10, to be replaced by the Cape Times.

Biggest circulating weeklies

1. Sunday Times: 405 458
2. Soccer Laduma: 317 013
3. Daily Sun: 283 216
4. Rapport: 177 016
5. Sunday Sun: 172 741
6. The Times: 142 603
7. Isolezwe: 119 846 +2
8. City Press: 118 676 -1
9. Sunday World: 113 757 -1
10. The Star: 101 711

Ilanga: 100 853
Sowetan: 99 403
Isolezwe ngeSonto: 93 268

*South African titles only. Must have cover price. Excludes free papers.

Read more.