Circulation declines at Denver’s two largest daily newspapers showed signs of moderating, according to counts released Monday by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
The Denver Post’s average weekday circulation, Monday through Friday, was 254,058, down 2,391 or 0.9 percent during a six-month period ended March 31, compared to a similar period a year ago, the bureau reported.
Average weekday circulation at the Rocky Mountain News was 253,834, down 2,592 or 1 percent from the same period a year ago. Under a joint operating agreement, The Post publishes a Sunday edition and the News publishes a Saturday edition.
Average Sunday paid circulation was 704,168, down 5,638 or 0.8 percent from the same period a year ago. Saturday paid circulation fell by 6,010 or 1.1 percent to 550,088.
“The numbers are where we thought they would be. We continued to be pleased with the overall size of our audience,” said Jim Nolan, spokesman for the Denver Newspaper Agency, which oversees business operations at the two dailies.
Annual circulation declines at the two newspapers have ranged from 3 percent to more than 6 percent in recent years. Their most recent drop was smaller than the 2.1 percent weekday and 3.1 percent Sunday declines averaged nationally.
The latest circulation numbers don’t reflect the Denver Newspaper Agency’s plan to scale back its use of so-called third-party subscriptions, a move that will cut costs and lower paid circulation for both papers.
The agency plans to reduce its use of third-party subscriptions, which are unsolicited deliveries of papers typically paid for by advertisers.
Of the nation’s 20 largest daily newspaper, 15 lost readers, with the Dallas Morning News taking the worst hit – a decline of 14.2 percent in daily circulation and 13.3 percent on Sundays. The Wall Street Journal and USA Today reported small circulation gains.
Staff writer Aldo Svaldi can be reached at 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com.
