E-papers are growing rapidly
DIGITAL CIRCUMSTANCES WEMF's 2013 circulation bulletin shows e-paper "circulations" for newspapers to be significantly higher in some cases than in 2012. This shows: Demand for digital subscriptions is rising. For the first time, however, it is also apparent that publishers are pushing this channel with many free or low-cost subscriptions. A free share of 50 percent and more is not uncommon. Digital subscriptions are in demand: [...]
Digital subscriptions are in demand: WEMF's 2013 circulation figures show a significant increase in "e-papers. This is also due to a high proportion of free subscriptions.FROM MARKUS KNÖPFLIIn its 2013 circulation bulletin, the WEMF provides more transparency, also with regard to e-papers: It no longer lists only the paid e-papers, but now also those distributed free of charge. E-papers, i.e. PDFs that are identical to the printed edition, are now called replicas, in contrast to non-replicas, digital editions that are continuously updated.Numerous titles refrain from designating replicasIn the 2013 circulation bulletin, some titles show replicas for the first time, such as Tribune de Genève, both Le Matins, Zentralschweiz am Sonntag and Bilan. Conversely, numerous titles have recently stopped doing so - such as Blick, SonntagsBlick, Berner Zeitung, Beobachter, Bilanz, Handelszeitung, Nordwestschweiz, PME Magazine and Walliser Bote. Why? An inquiry with the publishers revealed that all these titles previously had only small "replica editions". Because the more detailed certification now costs extra, they decided against it for cost-benefit reasons. Some publishers also claimed technical reasons: According to WEMF, each download must be assigned to exactly one person, Patricia Buck of Axel Springer Schweiz, for example, stated. In concrete terms, therefore, registration or a login would be necessary. "But this would have required us to make costly technical investments on our website," Buck wrote.Almost all titles record growthIt is striking that almost all the titles that already had an e-paper in 2012 recorded strong growth in 2013 - both in absolute terms and as a percentage. In terms of replicas sold, the growth rates range from 18% (Journal du Jura) to 1600% (in words: one thousand six hundred percent!) (Tages-Anzeiger). Exception: The Quotidien Jurassien increased by "only" 2.6%.The full article with a large table on the e-paper circulation of Swiss newspapers and magazines as PDF: MK Magazine, Media, Issue 12/2013
