USA TODAY No. 1 newspaper in daily circulation
Hadley Malcolm, USA TODAY
(Photo: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
USA TODAY clinched the top spot again for total average daily circulation among U.S. newspapers, according to the semiannual Alliance for Audited Media report out Thursday.
USA TODAY daily weekday circulation grew to nearly 3.3 million for the period from October through March — up 94.4% from the same period last year, the report says. The newspaper's expansion with a daily print edition in 35 local newspapers owned by parent company Gannett, as well as growth in mobile app usage, contributed to the increase, according to the company.
The nation's largest newspaper had average daily print circulation of more than 1.8 million and digital circulation of more than 1.4 million.
"The print local edition is driving it this year," says Publisher Larry Kramer. "(It) has been a terrific success for us."
Kramer expects circulation to jump significantly with the next audit in the fall, as the data will include a more complete picture of the company's gradual launch into the 35 local markets, which was still underway when the AAM conducted the most recent survey.
Time spent on USA TODAY's mobile and tablet apps also continues to contribute to a circulation increase. "We have more people who go to our apps and spend more time on (them)," Kramer says.
The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times followed in second and third, respectively. The Wall Street Journal had a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million, while The New York Times had 2.1 million.
AAM totals include data for more than 600 newspapers, including digital editions, such as those on tablets or restricted websites, as well as branded editions, which include regional editions or those tailored for commuters. It does not include general website traffic.
