Newspapers with Online Presence See Web Revenue Rise

The Newspaper Association of America (NAA) reports that ad revenue from newspapers with websites continues to grow in Q3, compared to the same period in 2005.

by Helen Leggatt

Ad revenue for newspapers with an online presence increased 23% to $638 million in Q3.

The NAA started reporting online ad spending in 2004 and the current figures reflect a tenth consecutive quarter where digital online spending increases have been in to double figures. For the first nine months of 2006 online ad revenue increased 30%. The trend is predicted to continue as online newspaper brands build online awareness and loyalty.

“Newspaper publishers are winning on the Web, as newspaper sites continue to attract consumers looking for immediate access to news and information,” said NAA President and CEO John F. Sturm.

Print and online expenditures together totalled nearly $11.8 billion for the third quarter of 2006, a 1.5 percent decline from the same quarter a year ago. Spending for print ads in newspapers totalled more than $11.1 billion, down 2.6 percent from the same period a year ago.

“The continued strong showing in real estate is evidence that the newspaper industry remains attuned to local markets,” said Sturm. “Even as some advertisers gravitate toward newspaper Web sites for listings, print publications continue to experience growth in this important category.”