PAMCo: News Media Readership Rises During Pandemic
Readership of news media journalism has risen as the public seek out trusted news and information during the coronavirus crisis, new figures from PAMCo show.
New data from the audience measurement body for the year to March 2020 shows that 49.2 million people read national and local news brands in print or digital each month.
Forty-eight million people read newsbrands weekly and the sector has 40 million daily readers. An extra 7.4 million readers across the news sector are turning to trusted news brands every single day.
That’s 15 million more daily unique visitors than Google and 7.5 million ahead of Facebook, according to analysis by Newsworks.
The Scotman’s total brand reach was up by 127 per cent year-on-year while The Herald’s year-on-year reach was up by 57 per cent.
Toby Granville, Newsquest editorial director, said: “Our local and regional news brands are experiencing huge growth in readership as the public seek out news they can trust about the coronavirus crisis in ever greater numbers.”
The Sun’s brand reach in the period was up 34 per cent year-on-year while The Times and The Sunday Times brand reach was up a record 87.3 per cent year-on-year.
News UK chief operating officer David Dinsmore said: “In times of uncertainty, and of world-wide importance, readers have once again turned to trusted newsbrands, which are being consumed and read by more readers than ever before.
“At News UK our titles have been fuelled by digital growth and deeper engagement with our content. But looking ahead we are also growing our Home News Delivery operation as part of the 260,000 new industry HND orders through the Deliver My Newspaper website alongside our digital growth story.”
Martin Little, JPIMedia director of digital content, said: “In difficult times, our readers have turned to the brands they know and trust – which has driven significant growth in our digital audience.
“Our journalists have worked tirelessly to keep our readers informed and engaged throughout the pandemic – these numbers demonstrate clearly that their efforts are making a meaningful difference.”
A record 35.6 million adults accessed Guardian journalism across both digital and print formats on average per month with digital readers spending 31 minutes each month with Guardian journalism.
Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief, Guardian News & Media, said: “During the coronavirus pandemic, the Guardian has consistently published the most impactful investigations, news and analysis, holding the government to account.
“We now have a record number of people coming to the Guardian and choosing to support us financially and it’s clear from this data that Guardian journalism is increasingly in demand, trusted and valued.”