by
Star Tribune Records Fourth Consecutive Six-Month Period of Circulation Growth
Minnesota’s largest news organization continues to outpace the national average
MINNEAPOLIS (May 1, 2012) — Star Tribune Media Company continued its steady growth in circulation over the past 24 months, showing gains for the fourth straight reporting period. Data released today by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) shows the Star Tribune outperforming its peers among the top 25 U.S. newspapers on several key measures. Among the highlights:
- Star Tribune reported Sunday circulation of 514,457, an increase of 3.7 percent. Star Tribune is the 8th-largest circulation Sunday newspaper in the U.S.
- Average daily circulation is now 300,330, up 1.3 percent. Compared to a year ago, Star Tribune jumped four spots to claim the 13th-largest circulation among U.S. daily newspapers.
- Among the top 25 U.S. newspapers, Star Tribune was one of only five to show growth in Sunday print circulation.
Star Tribune also reported that average weekly readership of the Star Tribune newspaper as measured by Scarborough increased to 1,344,450 (Scarborough Research Corporation 2012 R1, Minneapolis/St. Paul CBSA, includes print and electronic replica edition). The Star Tribune newspaper now reaches 53.8 percent of adults 18 and older in the 13-county Minneapolis–St. Paul area. When combined with an average of 2.4 million monthly unique visitors to StarTribune.com (as reported by digital marketing intelligence firm comScore), the latest figures further extend Star Tribune’s reach, by far the largest of any Minnesota media brand.
The latest figures show growing demand for Star Tribune content both in print and online. Sunday and daily circulation are up despite increases in home delivery and single-copy prices. In addition, Sunday single copy sales are up nearly 5 percent. At the same time, Star Tribune has driven significant new customer acquisition through its digital subscription offering, introduced in November 2011. Fully 20 percent of new digital subscribers have added a Sunday newspaper to their order.
“These numbers are a direct reflection of how Star Tribune has transformed to meet readers’ needs over the last two years,” said Mike Klingensmith, Publisher and CEO of Star Tribune. “Readers can now consume Star Tribune content on more than a dozen platforms, from tablets and mobile phones to e-readers and prep sports websites. All of these platforms work together to complement—and increase demand for—our core print product, the daily newspaper.”
Klingensmith continued: “The growth Star Tribune has seen over these past two years is proof that Minnesotans trust us as an essential part of the community. Our 265 journalists tell the stories that equip Minnesotans to have knowledgeable, educated opinions and conversations about the issues that affect them most. And we deliver those stories in increasingly diverse and meaningful ways.”
About Star Tribune Media Company
Star Tribune Media Company is a locally owned and operated media company serving Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Minnesota is the only U.S. market in the top 10 in household income, home ownership, health and fitness, literacy, spending on the arts, credit scores and online activity. With the 14th largest daily circulation newspaper in the U.S., the most-visited local website, and Twin Cities Values, Star Tribune reaches more consumers than any other Minnesota media brand. For more information visit startribune.com or startribunecompany.com.