Times of Northwest Indiana Staff
MUNSTER | The circulation gap between The Times and The Post-Tribune has widened, according to data released this week by the Audit Bureau of Circulation.
A FAS-FAX report shows The Times with a lead of 33,365 on Sunday and 29,530 daily over the Merrillville-based newspaper.
The Times increased daily circulation by an average of 96 to 85,297 and a Sunday average increase of 486 for a circulation of 92,834. The Post-Tribune lost 4,564 units, dropping its daily circulation to 55,767. It lost 2,135 Sunday units with a resultant Sunday circulation of 59,469.
"I was happy to see our results" said Bill Masterson, Publisher of the Times Media Company. "After experiencing tremendous growth last year, I was concerned we would have a little drop off".
The Times was recognized by Editor & Publisher Magazine, journal of the newspaper industry, in 2008 as the fastest growing English-speaking newspaper in United States after it posted yearly gains in both daily and Sunday circulation. Its continued circulation growth is contrary to the performance of most U.S. newspapers based on the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation reports.
"It is a credit to our terrific staff of news reporters, editors, circulation professionals and everyone else who makes sure we are clean, dry, on your doorstep and packed with interesting and relevant articles and advertising every day," Masterson said.
He said he believes it a misnomer the newspaper industry as a whole is in trouble.
"Smaller community newspapers are doing just fine and their circulation is holding steady," Masterson said. "The newspapers that are in trouble are the large metros as it is very difficult to be a local news source for 190 high schools. As long as newspapers stay relevant in the lives of their subscribers, we will be fine"
Announcement of the loss of circulation comes the same week the Sun-Times Media Group, parent of The Post-Tribune, announced the newspaper's single copy price is increasing from 50 cents to 75 cents daily. Its Sunday edition, sold previously at most outlets for $1, will increase to $1.75.
The Sun-Times Media Group and its affiliates, including The Post-Tribune, have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court. And earlier this year, the company listed Post-Tribune office buildings in Merrillville and Crown Point for sale.
It also previously reduced staff, outsourced delivery of the newspaper to the Chicago Tribune, outsourced printing of the newspaper to Chicago facilities and moved other work out of Northwest Indiana.