U.S. biggest papers' circulation fall continues

The average weekday circulation of the top 83 largest U.S. newspapers (over 100,000 circulation)saw an 11.7% drop in the six months ending September 30, according to an analysis of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) figures compiled by MediaPost. The total average weekday circulation declined from 22,231,728 to 19,637,991.

The analysis looked back over several years and said the rate of decline seems to be accelerating:

Six months ending September

2009 (11.7%)

2008 (3.2%)

2007 (4.5%)

2006 (3.1%)

While publishers have expressed hope that there is a natural bottom to the downward curve -- a core readership who won't forgo subscriptions -- the new ABC data suggests newspapers haven't reached it yet.