Number of daily newspapers worldwide increased last year, says survey

The number of daily newspaper titles published worldwide increased last year, with Asia growth offsetting difficult times in more mature markets, according to new figures from industry body WAN-IFRA.

In 2009 the number of daily newspaper titles rose 1.7 per cent worldwide - increasing 2.7 per cent year-on-year in Asia, 1.3 per cent in North America and remaining stable in Europe, the annual World Press Trends survey suggests.

Number of daily newspaper titles 2009


Non-daily newspapers fared better than their daily rivals in the circulation stakes in 2009: global paid-for daily newspaper circulation fell 0.8 per cent from 2008 to 2009; while global paid-for non-daily newspaper circulation rose by 2.5 per cent over the same period to 278 million copies sold.

Global paid-for daily newspaper circulation 2009


By region circulation of paid-for daily newspapers rose one per cent in Asia and 4.8 per cent in Africa year-on-year, but fell by 3.4 per cent in North America, 4.6 per cent in South America and 5.6 per cent in Europe.

While paid-for non-daily newspaper circulation increased during the same period by 1.5 per cent in Europe and 3.1 per cent in Asia, it fell by 6.2 per cent in Africa and by 1.4 per cent in North America.

Global paid-for non-daily newspaper circulation 2009


"Many newspaper companies in mature markets have embraced digital platforms and new forms of print publishing, growing their product portfolios, audience reach and revenues, even while their traditional print circulations have come under pressure," says Christoph Reiss, CEO of WAN-IFRA, in a release.

"The evidence is building that, for many, our print business is facing  deep changes. We know of the challenges facing our large metro-based newspapers in developed markets, but we hear less of the changing and expanding printed newspaper market elsewhere, where new products and new newspapers are launched to match the needs of a rapidly evolving and increasingly sophisticated market."

World's five largest newspaper markets (millions copies sold)

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