The Baltimore Sun Readership is Strong and Growing - Press Release

Usually I don't pass along internal memos or press releases. But this one is a little different. I think it's huge our print readership is growing as well as our online readership at a time when these numbers are dropping for most papers in major markets. It's also important to communicate this to our readers, advertisers, and critics.

With that being said, here is the press release and the proof:

For release December 2, 2008

MEDIA CONTACT
Renee Mutchnik
Marketing/Communications Director
410-332-6431
renee.mutchnik@baltsun.com

The Baltimore Sun Readership is Strong and Growing
Print and Online reach 1.1 million readers each week

A growing number of readers in the Baltimore market rely on the news and information found in The Baltimore Sun and baltimoresun.com, which reaches 1.1 million Maryland readers each week.

The most recent Scarborough Research shows that The Baltimore Sun Sunday readership is up 3.2 percent, to 900,580 readers, in a six-month period ending August 2008. Daily readership is up .9 percent, to 570,816 readers, for that same period.

In addition to the increased print readership, baltimoresun.com users are growing as well. Since its inception, page views of baltimoresun.com have steadily increased to over 30 million in August 2008. The website had a record number page views - 36.1 million - in September, and is on pace to reach 400 million this year. Synergy and innovation between the two platforms has helped to spur readership growth, said Tim Ryan, CEO and president of the Baltimore Sun Media Group (BSMG).

“Strong print readership, along with increased traffic at baltimoresun.com, means our integrated audience is engaged with The Baltimore Sun’s content, which enhances our advertisers’ opportunities to reach consumers,’’ Ryan said.

BSMG continues to provide opportunities for new audiences in both print and online. In April, BSMG introduced b and bthesite.com, a free daily newspaper for young adults in their 20s and 30s. Its current circulation is more than 75,000 and will be increased to 100,000 early next year due to significant consumer demand.

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The Baltimore Sun Media Group, a Tribune company, publishes The Baltimore Sun, baltimoresun.com, 30 community newspapers and magazines, and a growing portfolio of targeted print and online products, including b and bthesite.com. In print and online, the Baltimore Sun Media Group reaches 1.2 million readers each week in the Baltimore area, making it the region's most widely read source of news and information.