ABC

When I hear from my sister, Cathy, that it is time to change my blog I know that I have been neglecting this "role" of publisher in my life!

The latest ABC (Audit Bureau of Circulation) reports are out. Locally the Times Union and the Daily Gazette ran stories on the fact that newspapers are losing circulation. Well, let's say TU actually made it a positive story reporting that they had gained 41 readers on Sunday but went on to report they have lost 10,284 readers Monday-Friday. The Daily Gazette ran the AP story. No local mention. Locally The Gazette lost 2,114 Sunday subscribers and I don't have the official week day figures. The Recorder no longer reports to ABC but issues a publisher's statement on October 1 of each year. We didn't run anything on these reports. Responders will have a field day on this, but I really don't feel that there is any portion of our demographics that cares what our circulation figures are. If they choose to receive the newspaper because they are readers, people who care enough and want to be informed, and we are serving their needs, they are not going to stop subscribing. We are always honest with our advertisers. Want the facts? The Leader-Herald is down 59 Sunday subscribers compared to last year. That is a decrease of 0.54% ( a long way from the average 7% loss). Daily we are down 366; that is not acceptable or understandable to me. Remember these are all "averages." There are numerous times throughout the year that sales are much higher; it all depends on the story. And now you know the fast fax, as ABC refers to them.