Cape Town: Despite TV, the Internet and other digital distribution channels, newspapers have retained their position as the "media of preference." Global sales rose 2.3 per cent last year, driven by significant growth in India and China.

India, the world's second-largest market for newspapers after China, recorded one of the fastest growth rates of 12.93 per cent in sales during 2006 and 53.63 per cent over five years, the World Association of Newspapers (WAN) said on Monday.

While worldwide newspaper circulation rose by 2.3 per cent in 2006 to 515 million daily, the growth was 9.48 per cent over the past five years, WAN said, quoting latest data from its annual World Press Trends report.

China was the largest market with 98.7 million copies sold daily, followed by 88.9 million in India, 69.1 million in Japan, 52.3 million in the U.S. and 21.1 million in Germany. Seven of the world's 10 best-selling dailies are published in Asia, while China, Japan and India account for 60 of the top 100. "Newspapers in developing markets continue to increase circulation by leaps and bounds, and in mature markets are showing remarkable resilience against the onslaught of digital media," WAN's CEO Timothy Balding said.

Newspapers are benefiting from opportunities provided by digital distribution channels. "As the digital tide gathers strength, it is remarkable that the press in print continues to be the media of preference for the majority of readers who want to remain informed."

Taking into account also the free dailies, global circulation rose by 4.61 per cent last year; the figure increased by 14.76 per cent over the past five years. Global sales of paid dailies rose to a peak of over 515 million daily; the combined circulation of paid and free dailies rose to 556 million in 2006.

Advertising revenues in paid dailies showed a growth of 3.77 per cent in 2006 and 15.77 per cent over the five years. Seventeen countries saw newspaper advertising market share growth in 2006, including India, Hong Kong, South Africa, UAE, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland.

In India, newspaper advertisement revenues rose by 23.18 per cent in 2006 and by 85 per cent over the five years. In the U.S., they dropped by 1.68 per cent in 2006. But over the last five years, the figure rose by 5.69 per cent.

The Japanese bought the most number of newspapers for a given population: 630.9 copies daily per thousand adults. Norway followed with 601.2, Colombia with 587.8, Finland with 514.7 and Sweden with 466.2.

The Belgians spend the most time with newspapers — 54 minutes a day. The Chinese, the Finns and the Brazilians followed, with 48 minutes on average.

Over 515 million buy a newspaper every day, up from 488 million in 2002. The average readership was an estimated 1.4 billion-plus a day.

The total number of paid-for daily titles rose 3.46 per cent in 2006, and by 17.67 per cent since 2002 to a record 11,207 titles.

According to the survey, the number of paid-for newspaper copies rose everywhere expect in South America — where it was stable. The number of titles rose by 7 per cent in Asia, 1.3 per cent in Europe, 0.67 per cent in North America, 1.2 per cent in Africa and 1.14 per cent in Australia and Oceania.

The surveyhas information from 232 counties and territories where newspapers are published. WAN represents 18,000 newspapers. — PTI

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