African American weeklies see paid circulation decline

Abstract

This study examines business trends for African American newspapers from 1993 to 2013, the period in which digital distribution emerged and the Great Recession occurred. By 2013, roughly 151 weeklies existed, a net loss of 30 weeklies over two decades. During this time, paid circulation declined, free circulation increased, open line advertising rates increased, and the percentage of weeklies owned by groups increased slightly. African American newspapers were more aggressive than general circulation weeklies in adding websites.