While there has been endless speculation on the future of the daily newspaper industry, the community newspaper industry remains stable according to a new report from Newspapers Canada.
There are 1,083 community newspapers in Canada, with a combined circulation of 20.97 million, according to the industry association’s latest Community Newspaper Snapshot Report.
Year-over-year circulation has grown by 395,358 – or 1.9% – as of June 2015. Paid circulation accounts for just 729,404 of the total circulation, with controlled or free circulation accounting for 20.2 million.
More than 90% of community newspaper titles (996) publish just one edition per week, with 71 titles (7%) publishing two editions per week, and 16 titles (1%) publishing three editions weekly.
Torstar-owned Metroland Media Group is the country’s largest community newspaper publisher by circulation, with a combined circulation of 5.6 million spread over 113 titles, while T.C. Transcontinental publishes an industry leading 157 titles boasting a combined circulation of 4.6 million.
Other major community newspaper publishers include Sun Media Corporation (96 titles, combined circulation of 1.2 million); Black Press Group (89 titles, 2.21 million circulation) and Glacier Media Group (70 titles, combined circulation of 1.6 million).
Approximately 45% of the country’s community newspapers – a total of 484 titles – are published either by independent groups operating either two or more titles, or a single paper owner. Independent titles have a combined circulation of 4.4 million.
The vast majority of community newspapers, 1,046, are tabloid, with just 140 publications still printed in broadsheet format.
The report found 73% of Canadian adults read a community newspaper on a weekly basis, and they reach 76% of women. The study also found 76% of adults read newspapers for advertising, flyers/inserts along with classified advertising, real estate or employment ads.
Advertisers spent $960 million on community newspapers last year, with retail/local advertising accounting for the majority (56%) of spending. Online advertising accounted for $35 million in revenue.
