The Decline In Newspapers

According to the most recently available data, there were 1,286 daily newspapers in the United States in 2016. The number of daily newspapers in the U.S. has been on the decline since 1970, when there were 1,748 daily news publications in the country. However, given the ongoing struggle of print media around the world, a decrease of around 460 newspapers over several decades is more positive than many might expect.

Daily newspapers in the U.S.

Whilst the actual number of daily newspapers has remained comparatively stable since the 1970s, the same cannot be said for circulation figures. In 2017, the paid circulation of daily newspapers in the United States amounted to 30.92 million, more than half the figure recorded for 1985. Even the major players in the industry are suffering – Chicago Tribune’s daily circulation fell from just over 438 thousand in September 2017 to 238 thousand in early 2019. Household names like The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal also saw a sharp drop in circulation figures, leaving little hope for smaller publications.

The reasons for the decline in circulation are obvious.  The online presence of various news sources, blogs and other online options that bring news, gossip and all kinds of information to new readers.  It's hard to get new young subscribers to information they can get on line for free.  

The topic of newspapers and their decline came up with my mom and husband recently.  My mom felt that the crossword puzzle in the paper was still a big draw for many people.  She turned out to be right.  Over 50 million people start their day by folding their newspaper crossword into a their particular small square, getting a pencil and a cup of coffee, and going to work on their crossword.  It's a ritual for many, a way to slow down and get away from the hustle and bustle of the world, and relax and think.  30 million people do daily crosswords from the newspaper, the rest do them from magazines or online.  My husband Ron didn't think many people did crosswords anymore, and that people today were focused on Fantasy Football.  It turns out he was right too.  In the U.S. and Canada, about 59 million people play fantasy sports every year.  Fantasy football is most popular, with about 40 million people playing fantasy football every year, the rest play fantasy in other sports.

Two different ways to start the day.  Crosswords and other word and number puzzles have always been, and will continue to be popular, regardless of newspaper circulation.  Fantasy sports will likely surpass those who enjoy crosswords as a way to start the day.  There's always something new to attract the public's fancy, but there's still a place for crosswords in this world.