Newspaper Circulation Decline Slows

US newspaper publishers slowed their circulation declines in the most recent reporting period, although they continue to face the long-term reality of a shrinking industry.

In the April-September reporting period, average daily newspaper circulation declined 5 percent, while average Sunday circulation declined 4.5 percent year-over-year, according to just-released Audit Bureau of Circulation figures. That's not as bad as the previous two six-month reporting periods, when circulation accelerated its long-term decline as consumers tightened their purse strings and publishers cut back their circulation to reduce distribution costs during the ad recession.