Print media report shows changing consumption patterns
Survey finds that readers’ preferences are shifting towards online news consumption
05 July 2023 - 07:00
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The South African media industry has experienced big changes over the past 12 months. The global economic crisis and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) have contributed to changing the way people consume news and information, according to media monitoring company Novus Group’s newly released 2023 “State of Print Media” report.
Daily newspapers
Traditional print publications have been facing continuous declines in circulation over the past few years, leading to major changes in the industry. In May, Independent Media implemented various adjustments, incorporating some publications into others while discontinuing lesser-performing titles.
One of the notable changes includes the incorporation of Pretoria News, one of South Africa’s oldest newspapers (established in 1898), into The Star. Pretoria News experienced a large decline in circulation, dropping from a high of more than 14,300 readers in the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 to fewer than 2,500 readers in Q2 2022. As a result, the paper has officially resigned from ABC audits and is now focusing on online coverage.
The Sunday Times remains the largest-selling weekend newspaper
Among daily newspapers, Daily Sun (-33.25%), Son Wes (-22.74%), and The Sowetan (-15.37%) experienced the most significant losses in circulation over the past year. Die Burger (27,456 readers), The Star (25,596), The Sowetan (24,766) and Isolezwe (24,949) are the top four publications in the country based on readership. Media24 changed Son Wes from a daily newspaper to a weekly publication, with effect from June this year.
Weekend newspapers
The Sunday Times remains the largest-selling weekend newspaper, with a total circulation of 92,021. Isolezwe and Weekend Argus have merged their weekend editions, combining them into a single Saturday edition. Similarly, the Sunday Independent has become part of the Sunday Tribune, with both publications continuing to provide online coverage.
While several publications experienced declines in circulation, the independently published Daily Maverick showed a rapid growth rate of 18.99% for its Saturday newspaper.
Community newspapers
In the community papers segment, Representative suffered a major loss of 27.06%, while Die Pos experienced the largest growth, with a gain of 37.44%. Overall, most community publications remained stable throughout the year, with several showing good growth, including Merebank & Chatsworth Tabloid (23.82% growth), Witbank News (17.82%), and Helderberg Gazette & District Mail (16.26%).
Magazines
The magazine industry also underwent changes, bidding farewell to TV Plus magazine after 23 years. Huisgenoot, despite experiencing a 19.76% decline in circulation, continues to be the top-selling weekly magazine, with a circulation of 101,635. The Dairy Mail and The Specialist Forum suffered the largest losses, with declines of 45.35% and 41.84% respectively.
On a positive note, the retail group TFG and its media division, TFG Media, showed growth across all their retail magazines. Its titles, Man, Club X and Sports Club, all experienced significant increases in circulation.
“These changes reflect the evolving media landscape of readers’ preferences shifting towards online and on-demand news consumption. Print publications are adapting to these changes by incorporating online coverage and making strategic adjustments to their publication schedules,” says Novus Group director Joe Hamman.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Print media report shows changing consumption patterns
Survey finds that readers’ preferences are shifting towards online news consumption
The South African media industry has experienced big changes over the past 12 months. The global economic crisis and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) have contributed to changing the way people consume news and information, according to media monitoring company Novus Group’s newly released 2023 “State of Print Media” report.
Daily newspapers
Traditional print publications have been facing continuous declines in circulation over the past few years, leading to major changes in the industry. In May, Independent Media implemented various adjustments, incorporating some publications into others while discontinuing lesser-performing titles.
One of the notable changes includes the incorporation of Pretoria News, one of South Africa’s oldest newspapers (established in 1898), into The Star. Pretoria News experienced a large decline in circulation, dropping from a high of more than 14,300 readers in the first quarter (Q1) of 2016 to fewer than 2,500 readers in Q2 2022. As a result, the paper has officially resigned from ABC audits and is now focusing on online coverage.
Among daily newspapers, Daily Sun (-33.25%), Son Wes (-22.74%), and The Sowetan (-15.37%) experienced the most significant losses in circulation over the past year. Die Burger (27,456 readers), The Star (25,596), The Sowetan (24,766) and Isolezwe (24,949) are the top four publications in the country based on readership. Media24 changed Son Wes from a daily newspaper to a weekly publication, with effect from June this year.
Weekend newspapers
The Sunday Times remains the largest-selling weekend newspaper, with a total circulation of 92,021. Isolezwe and Weekend Argus have merged their weekend editions, combining them into a single Saturday edition. Similarly, the Sunday Independent has become part of the Sunday Tribune, with both publications continuing to provide online coverage.
While several publications experienced declines in circulation, the independently published Daily Maverick showed a rapid growth rate of 18.99% for its Saturday newspaper.
Community newspapers
In the community papers segment, Representative suffered a major loss of 27.06%, while Die Pos experienced the largest growth, with a gain of 37.44%. Overall, most community publications remained stable throughout the year, with several showing good growth, including Merebank & Chatsworth Tabloid (23.82% growth), Witbank News (17.82%), and Helderberg Gazette & District Mail (16.26%).
Magazines
The magazine industry also underwent changes, bidding farewell to TV Plus magazine after 23 years. Huisgenoot, despite experiencing a 19.76% decline in circulation, continues to be the top-selling weekly magazine, with a circulation of 101,635. The Dairy Mail and The Specialist Forum suffered the largest losses, with declines of 45.35% and 41.84% respectively.
On a positive note, the retail group TFG and its media division, TFG Media, showed growth across all their retail magazines. Its titles, Man, Club X and Sports Club, all experienced significant increases in circulation.
“These changes reflect the evolving media landscape of readers’ preferences shifting towards online and on-demand news consumption. Print publications are adapting to these changes by incorporating online coverage and making strategic adjustments to their publication schedules,” says Novus Group director Joe Hamman.
The full report can be downloaded here: Please click on the link to download the full report.
The big take-out: Reader preferences are shifting towards online and on-demand news consumption.
Read more:
https://www.businesslive.co.za/redzone/news-insights/2022-09-15-cool-consumers-giveadvertisers-hope/
https://www.businesslive.co.za/redzone/news-insights/2022-10-10-print-media-continuesdecline-as-titles-head-online/
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