Newspaper & Mailroom

Sun-Times Media Announces Circulation Report

Wednesday 04. May 2011 - Today, the Audit Bureau of Circulations released circulation performance figures for the newspaper industry, including Sun-Times Media, for the six-month reporting period ending March 31, 2011.

This is the first reporting period in which the FAS-FAX report reflects recent ABC rule changes, including the adoption of a new paid/verified circulation reporting model, creation of the branded publication category, and comprehensive reporting of digital editions. During this reporting period, the Chicago Sun-Times ranked 10th highest daily newspaper in the country and 14th on Sunday.
Under the new rules, Sun-Times Media reported a single, combined circulation number for all of its newspapers. The circulation for Sun-Times Media’s local suburban publications is now aggregated and reported under the umbrella of the Chicago Sun-Times, which is the ABC member newspaper. Reporting a combined circulation number allows Sun-Times Media to show the total depth and breadth of its reach in the Chicago market and allows the Company to present all of its newspaper titles under a single unifying brand.
For the six-month reporting period, the Chicago Sun-Times reported total average Monday-Friday circulation of 419,407 and 421,453 on Sunday. These numbers include the flagship Chicago Sun-Times newspaper together with its daily and weekly suburban titles across the Chicago region. On a stand-alone basis, the Chicago Sun-Times reported a Monday-Friday total circulation of 251,108 and Sunday circulation of 250,908.
Sun-Times Media is also pleased to report that its publications have experienced continued stabilization of their home delivery subscription base. In the most recent reporting period, home delivery paid subscriptions accounted for 63% of the total daily circulation and 66% of the total Sunday circulation. Additionally, the Company’s digital subscriber base continued to grow to a total Monday-Friday average circulation of 24,555. “Sun-Times Media continues to move aggressively on its digital strategy to expand the universe of our readers. We have had particular success in converting our Newspapers in Education (NIE) program into electronic form,” said Rick Surkamer, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sun-Times Media.
“We are very gratified at the trends and results that the ABC report reveals today,” said Jeremy L. Halbreich, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Sun-Times Media. “We continue to be a leader in both the City of Chicago and the suburbs, both for our readers and our advertisers. Our editorial leadership was confirmed recently by the Chicago Sun-Times’ receipt of the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting, about which we are extremely proud.”