Fairfax Readership Continues To Climb

Friday May 30, 2008

Fairfax Media Newspapers And Magazines Readership Continues To Climb

The latest Nielsen National Readership Survey figures puts readership across all Fairfax Media's print publications at 2,760,000 for people aged 15 years+; an increase of 52,000 readers on the preceding year.

Fairfax Media's Group Head of Publishing, Rodger Shepherd, says that readership figures across the stable continue to grow, with Fairfax newspapers and magazines being read by 83.8% of New Zealanders aged 15+.

"Reading newspapers and magazines remains a significant source of news, information and entertainment for New Zealanders. The result shows a strong and consistent performance," says Shepherd.

The Sunday Star-Times continues its reign as New Zealand's leading national weekly paper with 592,000 readers aged 10+ across the country. The Sunday Star-Times has seen growth across all its key markets, with particular gains in Wellington, up 15.3%, and Christchurch, up 10.3% year-on-year.

Fairfax Media's combined Sundays newspapers, the Sunday Star-Times and the Sunday News, together deliver 430,000 readers aged 10+ in the Northern region.

Stuff.co.nz recently broke the one million domestic unique browsers benchmark and Group Sales & Marketing Manager Sandra King says "The excellent growth in online and print readership numbers supports our position that when you talk to Fairfax, you talk to New Zealand."

King said readership numbers for Fairfax Media's flagship metropolitan daily newspapers continue to hold strong with readers 15+. The Dominion Post remains rock solid with 245,000 readers, while The Press enjoyed an additional 5,000 readers to reach 226,000. The Waikato Times also saw increased numbers, adding 3,000 readers to record a readership of 97,000.

In addition to growth in the general news and lifestyle markets, Fairfax Media has been focused on developing ground-breaking business news services such as the recently launched NZX.com site. This is an online business news and sharemarket information website, containing world class technology and features never seen before in New Zealand.

"Combined with the business news services we offer through our newspapers and stuff.co.nz, NZX.com takes breaking business news to a new dimension," King says.

Fairfax Auckland Suburbans have shown remarkable growth as a group, adding an additional 36,000 readers in the 15+ age bracket, taking total readership in Auckland to 673,000.

The star performers include the North Shore Times which attracted an impressive 17,000 more readers to reach 130,000, the Manukau Courier with a further 11,000 to record 148,000, and the Eastern Courier with an extra 10,000 to total 87,000 readers.

"Results show that more Aucklanders read a Fairfax Media Suburban title than any other Auckland publication. The Suburban group reaches 75.8% of Aucklanders aged15+ across a week.

"Local neighbourhood news is what our community newspapers are all about. Worldwide trends show community newspapers are least affected by the internet and reinforce that these papers remain an integral part of our communities by delivering the local news people increasingly want to read about," King says.

Over 2 million people, or 56.5% of New Zealanders aged 10 years+, choose to indulge with a title from Fairfax Media's magazine stable. Readership of recently acquired NZ Life & Leisure magazine increased by 11,000 compared to the previous 12 month period, recording 94,000 readers aged 10+.

Cuisine enjoyed an increase of 7,000 readers year-on-year aged 10+, with 383,000 readers, a reflection of its status as 'Best Food Magazine'. NZ Gardener saw a significant 8.2% increase to 224,000 readers and NZ Autocar registered an increase of 10,000 readers, recording a result of 169,000.

"It's encouraging to see solid readership figures continue across our magazines and newspapers. This supports the ongoing importance newspapers and magazines play in New Zealander's daily lives," says King.

ENDS

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