Hot Topic - Newspaper circulation
There probably is no more competitive newspaper market than the UK that has 11 national newspapers competing for daily eyeballs and another 11 on Sunday, plus all the metropolitans (regionals) – big and small – across the nation. In these days of economic crisis some publishers have tried raising newsstand prices but the readership has sent a strong message – do so at your own peril!
European circulation of free newspapers turned a milestone in September – it actually went down, not surprising, perhaps, since 23 free newspapers stopped publishing last year and 12 more have stopped this year, according to Dr. Piet Bakker, an expert on free newspapers.
ftm has kept a close watch over the past two years as the Manchester, UK Evening News, The UK’s largest regional (metropolitan) newspaper, adopted a bold approach to stem drastically falling circulation by giving away 50,000 issues downtown while maintaining sales in the suburbs. It has certainly added to total circulation but management has yet to give the financial bottom line.
Two industries really in the dumps these days are airlines and newspapers – both hurting for different reasons but hurting all the same. One way the airlines have figured out to stop losing money is to provide less services (no pillows, blankets, food; newspapers are doing similar by downsizing the editorial hole) and airlines also charge for what once was free (baggage). And on that there is now some newspaper take-up, too.
Over the past couple of years ftm has kept a close watch on two regional UK newspapers that took different approaches to stem drastically falling circulation – the Manchester Evening News that embarked on new marketing ground by giving away 50,000 issues downtown while maintaining sales in the suburbs, and the Birmingham Mail that went through a complete relaunch concentrating on local news, and enough time has now passed to see what worked and what didn’t.
The State of the Print Media in the World
ftm reports on the World Association of Newspapers Congresses - 2005-2008. Includes WAN readership studies, WEF press freedom studies, newspapers and new media, African media and journalism, Russian media and Russian politics, press freedom. 118 pages. PDF file (June 2008)
ftm members
non-Members €49
Free Newspapers - They are everywhere...
The free newspaper phenomenon is rocking media landscapes across the world. This ftm Knowledge file looks at publishers and their battles in the UK, Europe and the US. Includes data on the successes and weaknesses. 81 pages PDF (October 2008)
ftm Members
non-Members €49
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Media in Russia – new
Media in Russia is big business and big politics. Media companies are consolidating as they move into new media and new territories. At the same time independence is still questioned. It's all changing. ftm looks at media in Russia and its neighbors, includes Resources, 124 pages. PDF file (January 2012)
Press/Media Freedom - Challenges and Concerns
Press and media freedom worldwide is facing challenges from many corners. As authoritarian leaders impose strict control over traditional and new media with impunity, media watchers have concerns for democracy. This ftm Knowledge file accounts the troubles of this difficult decade. 88 pages. PDF (December 2011)
Europe's Radio - Western Europe
Opportunity meets tradition in Western Europe's radio broadcasting. Change has come fast and yet oh, so slowly. This ftm Knowledge file contains material and resources on public and private radio broadcasting in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland. 156 pages. Resources. PDF (December 2011)
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