Extracts from the ABC Q2 2014 presentation released today, Wednesday, 13 August 2014, show a significant decline in weekly and weekend newspaper sales.
The ABC goes so far as to note that even the depressing circulation stats for daily newspapers isn’t a true indication of the severity of the problem facing newspapers. While circulation has dropped 4.7% major newspapers titles still claim ‘growth’ by adding copies in under the “distribution below 50%” of the cover price category. This component is now 5 times larger than PMIE distribution, which, as the ABC notes, is concerning.
In the weekly category circulation figures has dropped by a further 4.1% on Q1 while Afrikaans tiles are generally declining twice as fast over the period.
Graphs, analysis and data courtesy of the ABC.
Four-year total newspaper circulation trend by quarter
Total Newspaper circulation decreased by 175,000 compared to the previous quarter.
4 Year category trend by quarter: daily newspapers
Circulation has declined annually by 4.2% since 2010, equivalent to 271,000 copies. However, Q2 declined 4.7%, compared to Q1.
Titles showing largest growth: daily newspapers
| No | Publication name | TOTAL CIRCULATION | Corresponding previous period | Variance — prior year | Previous quarter | Variance — previous quarter | ||
| 1 | Daily Dispatch | 26 915 | 25 956 | 3,69% | 30 199 | -10,87% | ||
| 2 | The Herald | 22 987 | 22 255 | 3,29% | 23 605 | -2,62% |
Titles showing largest decline: daily newspapers
| No | Publication name | TOTAL CIRCULATION | Corresponding previous period | Variance — prior year | Previous quarter | Variance — previous quarter | ||
| 1 | Cape Argus | 29 170 | 32 297 | -12,39% | 30 319 | -3,79% | ||
| 2 | Cape Times | 31 784 | 35 396 | -10,20% | 33 986 | -6,48% | ||
| 3 | Son (Daily) | 84 726 | 91 735 | -7,64% | 84 870 | -0,17% |
4 Year trend analysis by language: daily newspapers
English titles have declined by 3.9% annually (182, 000 copies) over the period. Afrikaans titles have declined by 7.1% annually (95,000 copies) over the period. Vernacular titles have increased by 1.4% (6,000 copies) over the period.
Four-year category trend by quarter: weekly newspapers
Weekly newspapers reflect an erratic performance. Q2, however, declined by a further 35,000 copies compared to Q1.
Four-year category trend by quarter: weekend newspapers
Circulation has declined annually by 5.6% (542,000 copies) over the period. Q2 declined by 4.1% (74,000 copies) compared to Q1.
4 Year trend analysis by language: weekend newspapers
English titles have declined annually by 5.6% (391,000 copies) over the period. Afrikaans titles have declined annually by 8.9% (223,000 copies) over the period. Vernacular titles have grown annually by 11.5% (71,000 copies) over the period.
Four-year category trend by quarter: local newspapers
Local Newspapers have declined by 3.2% (68,000 copies) over the period. Q2 declined by 5.2% (23,000 copies) compared to Q1.
Four-year category trend by quarter: free newspapers
Distribution has increased annually by 6.1% (1,339,000 copies) over the period. Q2 remained static compared to Q1.
Graphs, analysis and data courtesy of the ABC.
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ABC: The biggest circulating newspapers in South Africa
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