The decline in daily newspaper sales in Australia continues apace according to the latest audit. While all capital city dailies recorded significant declines, the Fairfax mastheads were hit hardest. While I am no newspaper publisher, I doubt Fairfax is making money from The Age at least several days a week. The year on year decline of 19.6% would have to be hitting the company hard.
It’s a matter of time, months maybe, from when we see a capital city daily retreat from daily publication of their print product. Newsagents need to factor the real prospect of this into their business planning.
I am surprised (maybe I am not surprised actually) that newspaper publishers are not more creatively and actively engaged with retail newsagents in driving over the counter sales. These are the times we need fresh initiatives and not the same old.
The audit results are reflected in the latest benchmark study results.
Read a full report at Mumbrella here.
This article in the Press Gazette reveals quite a slide in UK national newspapers sale over the past decade. http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/content/after-decade-decline-could-daily-broadsheet-circulations-be-leveling
Look what they will save when they go entirely online !
1.no huge rolls of paper
2.no ink
3.no machinery for printing
4.no staff to operate machinery,balers forklifts etc
5.no huge storage facilities to maintain
6.no freight companies,trucks and staff to deliver papers
7.no newsagent commissions[ouch that one hurts]
All of which add up to gigantic savings BUT !! lets see them wrap their rubbish up in laptops, lets also see them mop up their puppy or kittens mistakes with a tablet and how many I phones will it take to mulch a garden?
As the big boys bow, bend and ultimately break trying to stay competitive and financially viable I see a resurgence of the smaller local papers. But not for a while yet I hope
Steve a fascinating tale. While the medium is challenged, the reporting quality is challenged too. Put two together and you have what we have today: extraordinary declines.