Look Out Below
The audited numbers are in and, compared to six months ago, there are fewer people reading the local newspapers:
The Star Tribune and Pioneer Press each reported declining circulation figures during the six-month period ending in September, highlighting a industry-wide downturn, according to data released Monday.
Weekday circulation at the Star Tribune in Minneapolis slipped 0.2 percent to 374,528 in the most recent period, the Audit Bureau of Circulation reported. Sunday circulation numbers saw a bigger drop, falling 6 percent to 636,977.
Weekday circulation at the Pioneer Press in St. Paul fell 2.8 percent to 184,497. The paper's Sunday circulation dropped 3.2 percent to 245,139.
Slight decreases perhaps. But significant, considering that both coconuts of the two-headed monster comprising the print monopoly in town are shrinking simultaneously.
What could possibly be causing this? My guess, either illiteracy is increasingly being embraced as a lifestyle choice or people are relying on something else for their information needs. Either way, I credit Chad the Elder's disgruntled seed sowing from last June for yielding this bitter harvest.
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