Chicago Sun-Times Reports Double-Digit Growth in Digital Circulation

Online, October 31, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Today, the Alliance for Audited Media released circulation performance figures for the newspaper industry, including Chicago Sun-Times, for the six-month reporting period ending September 30, 2013. Sun-Times Media, publisher of Chicago Sun-Times, announced that digital circulation is up for Chicago Sun-Times and its regional branded publications every day of the week, with double-digit growth on all days. Sun-Times Media also announced double-digit digital circulation growth every day of the week for its flagship Chicago Sun-Times publication on a stand-alone basis. Chicago Sun-Times continues to lead the Chicago market in print readership with 2,850,310 (Past 7 Days print readers - DMA) notwithstanding single digit percentage declines to Chicago Sun-Times' total average circulation due to continued print erosion consistent with local market trends. Chicago Sun-Times also leads the Chicago market in total net combined audience (Past 7 day Print/Past 30 Days online -DMA), with an audience rate of 3,253,238 readers, and is the market leader in total monthly unique visitors with a rate of 5,401,000.

In concert with its overall digital growth, Sun-Times Media announced double-digit growth in its mobile audience year-over-year including unique visitors (+84%), page views (+76%), and total visits (+74%), according to recent Omniture data. The company also saw triple-digit increases in video engagement, with video viewing hours increasing by 142%, and number of video streams increasing by 86% between March and September 2013 (Source: Ooyala). These increases are on target to reach 220% and 215%, respectively, when October 2013 audience data is included.

Sun-Times Media's growth reflects the success of the company's digital-first strategy, focused on creating engaging, accessible content for local communities and advertisers through a suite of products targeting online and mobile audiences. In the last six months, the company has licensed a new content and advertising platform focused on native advertising opportunities while also relaunching a number of suburban websites. Also during this period, Sun-Times Media's parent company, Wrapports, LLC, acquired Chicago.com, enabling Sun-Times Media to offer unique @chicago.com email addresses to subscribers. In September 2013, Sun-Times Media launched CSTtv, and the company now runs 20 original video series, which include programs for Chicago Reader, High School Cube News, Splash, Grid, and Chicago Sun-Times.

Further delivering on its future-focused vision, Chicago Sun-Times became the first major metro daily to be recognized in the AAM report by its digital title, Chicago Sun-Times.com. The company changed the print masthead to Chicago Sun-Times.com to connect its print audiences with the extensive content now available online.

"We are pleased to report positive growth in our digital audience, and are especially encouraged by the rapid rise of mobile and video engagement across the board for all of our brands," said Jim Kirk, Publisher and Editor In Chief of Chicago Sun-Times. "The Chicago Sun-Times is Chicago's largest locally owned newspaper, and our ability to evolve with new audiences on devices like smartphones and across new platforms like video reflects the strength of our deep connection to the city and suburban communities we serve."

"We are thrilled to offer our advertising clients even more ways to connect with our Sun-Times audiences throughout the day," said Randy Hano, SVP, Wrapports. "From video opportunities during live streaming sports to content opportunities surrounding travel and neighborhood events, the local paper has become the center of our community once again, but in an entirely new and 21st century way."