CIRCULATION & READERSHIP – March 2007

Friday, May 18, 2007

FAIRFAX MEDIA PUBLICATIONS CIRCULATION AND READERSHIP
RESULTS FOR NEWSPAPERS, INSERTED MAGAZINES AND WEBSITES – TO MARCH 2007

DEAR READERS,

Figures released today consolidate The Age’s position as one of Australia’s fastest growing newspapers.

The figures from the independent Audit Bureau of Circulation and Roy Morgan Research show that we continue to grow our readership in print and online, with a total audience of more than 1 million daily.

The Age now has the highest weekday readership since 1994 — 741,000 — an additional 20,000 readers over the year and growing. This is an excellent result given that 13 years ago the internet and other new communications channels didn’t exist.

The Sunday Age continues to break records with a readership of 721,000 — an additional 37,000 readers over the year, making it the fastest-growing Sunday newspaper in Australia. On Saturdays our readership is 951,000, which while slightly down over the previous year, grew by 11,000 or 1.2 per cent in the latest quarter.

Underpinning our growing readership is a very strong circulation performance. Sales are up across all days of the week. Our weekday circulation has grown to 202,500, Saturday is up to 300,500 and The Sunday Age has again posted a sales record — 220,300.

Our online service attracts close to 300,000 unique browsers a day and is the leading news and information site in Victoria. Add to that people who read The Age on their mobiles and The Age’s total audience is more than 1 million people a day.

The Age’s competitive advantage in reaching core high value consumers in the key AB demographic that measures income, education and occupation has also increased.

On weekdays and Sunday, The Age's AB advantage over its nearest competitor grew by 46 per cent and 109 per cent respectively. Saturday’s lead is 162,000 and has grown over the past year by 3.2 per cent. That is why The Age is the No. 1 choice for advertisers.

Plans are under way to move to an exciting new format early next year, and we will continue to strengthen our online service as we build the
newspaper for the future.

While we will be changing format, what won’t change is the best mix of breaking news, quality independent analysis, and an all-round enjoyable read that readers expect from The Age.

Thank you for your continued support.
Andrew Jaspan Editor-in-Chief


DON CHURCHILL
MANAGING DIRECTOR, VICTORIA
FAIRFAX METROPOLITAN, REGIONAL AND COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

These are excellent results and confirm a positive trend over the past two years.

Circulation is growing strongly on all days of the week, weekday readership is at a 13-year high, and The Sunday Age is the fastest growing Sunday newspaper in Australia with its highest readership ever.

Subscriptions are at record levels which is underpinned by excellent agenda-setting journalism, quality sections and magazines, and ongoing improvements to the paper.

The Age not only retains a commanding lead in the AB market across all days but it also achieved significant market share gains.

Please click here to download further statistics.

Source: Fairfax Media
Release Date: 18 May 2007 00:00