Increased cover prices at Newsquest's regional and local newspapers may have depressed sales but they have increased revenues.
Circulation revenue rose by about 6% in the final quarter of 2013 compared to the same period the year before, said Gracia Martore, chief executive of Gannett, Newsquest's US parent. This was, she said, "its third consecutive quarterly growth."
Martore spoke of the Newsquest titles having improved their content to "focus on providing more value to consumers. And, as a result, they have sustained the circulation revenue growth."
She was taking part in a briefing to analysts on Tuesday to discuss Gannett's results. She also reported that Newsquest's total advertising take fell by 6.5%, though digital ad revenues were up 18.7% "driven by retail categories across a small but growing base."
She also boasted that Newsquest is "an internet leader in the UK where its network of websites attracted 99.9m monthly page impressions from approximately 15.3m unique users in December 2013."
Journalists vote to strike over subbing move
Newsquest's decision to switch newspaper production to a subbing hub in Wales, costing more than 20 journalists their jobs in the north-east and Yorkshire, has resulted in votes for a strike.
Members of the National Union of Journalists on titles in Darlington, York and Bradford have all voted separately for strike action.
In Darlington, 75% voted to strike and 93% for industrial action short of a strike. In Bradford, the votes were 80% and 100%. And in York, the ballot results were 83% and 100%.
Among the titles threatened with staff cuts are the Northern Echo in Darlington, the Bradford Telegraph and Argus, and The Press in York.
Michelle Stanistreet, the NUJ's general secretary, said: "Newsquest, an American-owned company, clearly has no loyalty to its readers or staff. Local papers should be produced in the heart of the communities they serve, not 200 miles away in another country."
Sources: Washington Business Journal/Seeking Alpha/Gannett/NUJ (1) and (2) Hat tip: Poynter
