SR Circulation Numbers

Several of you have asked about our circulation numbers yesterday. Here they are:

Weekdays: 95,000
Saturdays: 108,500
Sundays: 126,000
Online: 1,000

We’ve dropped circulation somewhat in the last year largely due to a business decision. Managing Editor Steve Smith (pictured) explains: “Our declines arep rimarily due to the complete elimination of telemarketing and an almost complete elimination of discount programs. Also, we no longer “sell” one-month subscriptions with billing (we’ve gone to pre-pay). Under that old system, the one-month subscription counted as circulation even if the buyer never actually paid. As a result, we’ve cut churn considerably, meaning our circulation is considered ‘hard’ now.”

Unlike the Coeur d’Alene Press, we’re audited by Audit Bureau of Circulation twice a year. Again, Smith: “The audits are rigorous. It’s worth noting that the Press is not audited, one of the few dailies declining to participate, so that means they can claim any circulation they want and can sell the paper for any price or even give it away and call that circulation. Under ABC rules, there are strict limits on those practices and we comply with all rules.”