'Chic Trib' Circ Declines in FAS-FAX, But Points to Key Gains

By: E&P Staff In the FAS-FAX released this morning for the six-month period ending Sept. 30, the Chicago Tribune reported an overall decline in paid circulation to 917,868 Sundays and daily (Monday - Friday) of 559,404. But the company pointed to overall circulation growth on Wednesdays and Fridays and home delivery growth on Sundays. "These results on key advertising days were driven by strong subscriber sales and reader retention," it said in a statement.

An excerpt from the release follows.
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The newspaper reported print readership for the Chicago Tribune of nearly 3.3 million readers weekly and Chicagotribune.com reach of 1.1 million users per month within the designated market area. The net combined monthly audience of the Chicago Tribune and chicagotribune.com is nearly 3.6 million readers.

Actions that helped drive these results include a redesign of chicagotribune.com this summer, which allows for more prominent video placement to complement content and interactive tools that enable users to share photos, videos, and opinions. Also, Subscriber Advantage, the
newspaper's highly successful rewards program, has grown to 260,000 members, which is a 49 percent increase in membership since last year.

In response to reader and advertiser demand, Chicago Tribune Media Group recently announced that Hoy, Chicago's only Spanish-language daily newspaper, increased its daily circulation by 40 percent, and RedEye,
Chicago's free daily newspaper, increased its circulation by 33 percent. Metromix, Chicago's #1 entertainment guide, saw continued growth from its expanded coverage of the suburbs.

"We are pleased that three out of four Chicago area adults regularly turn to the Chicago Tribune and our related media choices each week," said Scott Smith, publisher and president. "We will continue to innovate to effectively serve the changing needs of our readers and advertisers."