The best newspapers in America are still read by a significant number of Americans. Found in hotel rooms and at newsstands, these newspapers have built a strong online presence that helps them reach new audiences. However, print circulation continues to fall. The following visual shows how some of the biggest titles stack up by their weekly and Sunday circulations.
- The New York Times
Despite circulation declines in the wake of the digital revolution, The New Work Times newspaper is still widely read across America. Whether for the latest news in business, sports or politics, these publications remain popular among readers of all ages.
Data on digital subscriptions presents a more promising picture, with many titles in this ranking boasting large online subscriber bases. However, print remains a key revenue stream for the industry.
- The Wall Street Journal
Renowned for its market analysis and comprehensive business coverage, The Wall Street Journal is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. The paper also has a long tradition of using ink dot drawings called hedcuts, as well as photographs, to illustrate stories.
While the newspaper industry continues to struggle, the ten highest-circulation titles saw their average print circulation decrease less than others this reporting period. However, their digital readership remained strong. They all have large and loyal subscriber bases. They continue to produce hard-hitting, original content on a daily basis.
- The Washington Post
Founded in 1877, The Washington Post has been a key player in shaping history, earning multiple Pulitzer Prizes for investigative journalism. It has a rich history of in-depth coverage and remains committed to digital innovation.
While print circulation continues to decline, the majority of the top 10 newspapers have diversified their revenue streams with online subscriptions. The Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have both seen impressive growth in recent years. Both titles regularly top Press Gazette’s 100k Club ranking of English-language newsbrands. Combined, the two newspapers have over 3 million subscribers across print and digital.
- The Los Angeles Times
One of the world’s most popular newspapers, The Los Angeles Times covers a range of local and national news. The paper also has a strong reputation for investigative journalism.
The paper’s print circulation has fallen by 17% during the COVID pandemic but this decline has been cushioned by impressive digital subscription growth. Its print sales have been hit by a loss of sales to hotels who used to provide free copies for their guests.
- The Boston Globe
Many Americans rely on local newspapers to stay informed about their community. However, the newspaper industry is facing declining circulation in a world where people primarily consume news on their computers and phones. While physical newspaper circulation has fallen 12% year-over-year, digital subscriptions have continued to grow. The New York Times leads the way with almost two million digital subscribers worldwide.
Founded in 1872, the Boston Globe is a historic newspaper that has won multiple Pulitzer Prizes over the years. Today, it’s one of the most popular newspapers in America and is an excellent source of local news. It’s also a trusted source for national and international news.
- The Dallas Morning News
The Dallas Morning News is a large newspaper that covers local and international news. Its reporters are known for their brave and accurate reporting, allowing readers to get an uncolored view of the world.
Despite widely assumed declines in print circulation, newspapers remain a vital part of the media landscape, offering a unique way to reach your target audiences. Discover how Meltwater can help you expand your newspaper coverage and conduct print monitoring. Contact us today for a demo..!
- The Detroit Free Press
With a focus on local news, the Free Press provides an insight into Detroit culture. The Detroit Free Press newspaper has been a trusted source of news for generations. Its print circulation fell by 17% during the pandemic but like other titles in this ranking has a robust digital subscriber base. Alden Capital-owned Denver Post saw the largest year-on-year drop (figures based on six months to September 2023).
Despite declining print circulation, many newspapers have found innovative ways to reach their audiences. Meltwater can help you discover these opportunities through our media database and a range of other tools.
- The Chicago Tribune
Founded in 1847, The Chicago Tribune is one of America’s oldest newspapers and has won several Pulitzer prizes throughout its history. Today the newspaper is a trusted source of local and national news and has a large online presence.
Its print circulation fell by 8% year-on-year in the period, the biggest drop among the top 10 titles. However, the paper is seeing a steady rise in its digital readership thanks to metered paywalls and bundled subscriptions. It also counts digital subscribers separately from its print readers.
- USA Today
USA Today is the nation’s first national general-interest newspaper, launched in 1982 by Al Neuharth, chairman of Gannett, a chain of local newspapers at the time. Using the profits from those papers, he built a newsroom for USA Today that included journalists housed in tiny apartments (said to resemble hotel rooms) near Gannett headquarters in Rosslyn, Virginia. Its colorful graphics and short stories set it apart from traditional newspapers, but despite early success the paper never garnered a reputation for great journalism.
Instead, USA Today relied on its size and technology to boost sales, a strategy that worked well until demand for printed papers declined and digital media overtook print circulation. As the newspaper industry shifted, USA Today’s focus on lifestyle topics, its longtime sports and celebrity columnists, and its emphasis on quick reporting helped it survive.
Despite its size, USA Today was among the first to adopt digital technology. Its website is now its primary source of revenue, generating more than $1 billion in annual revenues.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer
Despite being under siege by the digital age, many American newspapers still hold strong readership numbers and remain trusted sources of news and information. These 10 newspapers are the most popular in America, based on their print and online circulations.
On June 26 — days before Lee arrived at Gettysburg — The Philadelphia Inquirer declared, “To Arms, Citizens of Pennsylvania!” It was the first time since the Civil War that the newspaper ran the headline on Page One. That same day, Third Street thronged with a union rally.
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