Dave and I arrived at work on Sunday to find a giant inflatable Titanic in front of the L.A. Times building. Given the state of the newspaper industry, it was ironic that a sinking ship be placed in front of what many consider to be a sinking business.
Coincidentally on Monday, the Audit Bureau of Circulations reported that print circulation continues to drop at U.S. newspapers. According to the bureau, average weekday circulation fell 8.7% in the six months that ended March 31 compared with the same period a year earlier. Sunday circulation fell 6.5%.
Circulation at the Los Angeles Times fell 14.7% to 616,606 on weekdays and 7.6% to 941,914 on Sundays. Daily circulation at The Times was over a million 10 years ago.
At the Washington Post, average weekday circulation fell 13.1% to 578,482 and dropped 8.2% to 797,679 on Sundays.
While the declines are sobering, it’s important to note that more and more people are reading the news online. Newspapers remain the leading source of local news and continue to be a trusted information source. Those of us who are lucky enough to still be in the newspaper business remain committed to serving the public and doing quality work.
Caption: Two sinking ships? An inflatable slide shaped like the ill-fated Titanic sits on Spring Street outside the Los Angeles Times. The inflatables and other displays were part of Fiesta Broadway, a huge street party held annually in downtown L.A.
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