It's Happening Because Everyone Is Reading Hit & Run

AP account via Breitbart.com:

Newspaper Circulation Slips 2.6 Percent

Average weekday circulation at U.S. newspapers fell 2.6 percent during the six month-period ending in September in the latest sign of trouble in the newspaper business, an industry group reported Monday.

Sunday circulation also fell 3.1 percent at newspapers reporting to the Audit Bureau of Circulations, according to an analysis of the data by the Newspaper Association of America.

The declines show an acceleration of a years-long trend of falling circulation at daily newspapers as more people, especially young adults, turn to the Internet for news and as newspapers cut back on less profitable circulation.

Whole thing here.

As for Reason Online's readership (including Hit & Run), we've pulled over 1.7 million visits in September and October, which represents about a 75 percent increase in traffic over the same period in 2004. And for that, gentle readers, we only have you to blame thank.

Comments

[Dave W.]

I love coming on here to criticize, but really, on the whole, Reason and its associated web presence make one of the most fascinating publications I have ever read, probably my second favorite magazine ever, and I only really got into it this year. So, thanks and stuff.

[Madog]

Not surprising... I just set up a customized Google page that pulls RSS feeds from 11 different news sources so I can scan the headlines from any internet connected computer.

And yes, Hit and Run is one of them. 🙂

[lurking cavanaugh fan]

I second that emotion.

[Jeff P.]

Let 'em die a long protracted death.

[Sandy]

Now the nasty question -- has Reason.com affected Reason's subscription numbers?

[Number 6]

I picked a hell of a time to go into journalism.

[joe]

I certainly don't come here out of any sense of political or intellectual solidarity.

You run the best political site on the interent, period. Whether it's "because" you are off the rails loonies, or "in spite of" being off the rails loonies, I couldn't care less. Smart commentary, smart commenters, stimulating discussions.

Sandy, that's a good question, but not directly comparable to major newspapers. The papers are starting with a large readership already, and virtually no one is discovering that a local newspaper exists by happening upon it online. Reason on Dead Tree is just the opposite.

[crimethink]

Who knows, newspapers might get desperate enough to accept ads for the Ultimate Fitness Program now...

[Ruthless]

"I picked a hell of a time to go into journalism."

Ich bin ein Journalichen.

Seriously, if we are all journalists, who we gonna listen to?
We are in the midst of a seismic shake-out.

[linguist]

Let 'em die a long protracted death.

I second THAT emotion!

[ChrisO]

So *that's* the reason that the poor little squirrel-on-the-treadmill that powers your server keeps getting tired... 😛

[non-subscriber]

Now the nasty question -- has Reason.com affected Reason's subscription numbers?

Shh! Don't be asking questions like that. Don't make waves 🙂

[taktix]

"I picked a hell of a time to go into journalism."

I second that demotion.

But as far as Reason et al goes, I had been hearing about the mag for a while, and my Libertarian girlfriend got me a subscription for my birthday. (I was a Libertarian before I met her, if anyone questions my integrity!)

Now I have many liberal friends checking out H&R, some even coming to the light.

One gripe: While I am overly competent when it comes to the internet, I refuse to learn illiterate-ass hacker speak. Can an ADMIN please post teh jargon on an FAQ or they are pwned...

[smacky]

It's Happening Because Everyone Is Reading Hit & Run

Ha ha! It's funny 'cause it's true. After years of surfing the web aimlessly, I've finally found a webring of news sources (Reason.com being the keystone) that is suitable to replace the weak excuse for Cleveland's news, the Plain Dealer. I can't express how depressing it was to look at that rag....I had the feeling that everyone around me in Cleveland was a mindless zombie (probably true) who writes into the editorials complaining about the same inane crap and enjoys features on public swimming pools and abandoned puppies and kitties. Now I realize there is much more to the news than that....(even if I still ignore international news....whoops, did I say that?)

Plus, this website is one of the few places I can actually stand talking to people. The readers, contributors, and commenters here are smarter on the whole.

[Baylen Linnekin]

A fortuitous message arrived in my junk-mail folder just moments ago:

"As a former New York Times subscriber, you're familiar with our thorough reporting. You've probably looked forward to the incomparable Sunday Times or a favorite section ? Dining In/Dining Out, House & Home or Science Times. And you know the convenience of home delivery."

Yes -- twice as easy as reading for free online.

[metalgrid]

Don't blame.. err thank me, I already subscribe. On a positive note, I get more amusement than the subscription is worth due to it offending both my righty and lefty friends when I leave it on my coffee table.

[VIking Moose]

Smacky:
two snaps (this time a la Living Color. oh yeah!)
🙂
are you suggesting our home town is, um, rather, um... unsophisticated? do you remember the promo and song WMMS ran to get the rock-n-roll hall of fame to cle? and how jeff kinzbach and ed "flash" ferenc and the morning show tried to rig the rolling stone radio poll? "mindless zombie" is perfect! and considering how lousy the weather is between now and april...

sigh.

"features on public swimming pools" -- fantastic!

cheers.

[Ruthless]

joe,
You and smacky stink.

[smacky]

are you suggesting our home town is, um, rather, um... unsophisticated? do you remember the promo and song WMMS ran to get the rock-n-roll hall of fame to cle? and how jeff kinzbach and ed "flash" ferenc and the morning show tried to rig the rolling stone radio poll?

Viking Moose,

Thankfully, I don't remember any of this (I say "thankfully" because I can't have stuff like this cluttering the free space in my memory...I'm short of space as it is). I do remember MMS trying to increase listenership by pretending to close down the station permanently....when it was revealed as a hoax/publicity stunt, I believe that was when I came to the realization that the station (and its parent company) is totally bogus.

sigh.

I was just thinking, if any prideful Clevelanders ever saw my remarks, I'd probably be ostracized, chased out of Cleveland's city limits. I never was the kid with "school spirit".

Cheers, Mr. Moose!

[smacky]

Ruthless,

Hey! Why do I stink?

[The Wine Commonsewer]

Met an old man named Ed at Reason's Las Vegas party. He had only been subscribing to Reason for a few months and was so impressed that he ponied up the money, put his aching bones on a cramped 737, and came out to play (by himself). He was a quiet sort but claimed he was having a good time. Apparently Reason keeps you young.

[The Wine Commonsewer]

I'd cancel our local rag in a heartbeat but Mrs TWC won't let me. Dang I hate that paper, except when I need to build a fire......

[Viking Moose]

Smacky:

you bet. you'd be banished to the dark depths of geauga county 🙂

here's one: wwwe changed its name back to wtam some time ago. could you imagine its website
http://www.wwwe.... sorry .. couldn't.. resist..

TWC: was Abe Froeman there, too?

[Rick Barton]

The vast majority of folks who email me concerning stuff that's transpired on H&R either never or rarely post. Also, although I haven't kept exact count, the number of emails that I get has been on a big uptrend for the couple years that I've been commenting on this stellar blog. I always get at least one enail a week. Sometimes it's more like five.

[smacky]

....the sausage king of Chicago?

[Ruthless]

"Hey! Why do I stink?"

smacky,
So it's okay for joe to stink, eh?

I was just trying to put a little tang with all the sweetness starting out this thread.

[VIking Moose]

Smacky:

THE SAME!

Rick - it's cuz you always contribute with sources, thoughts, discussion, and you are always a gentleman. Even though you are a John Elway fan (ha ha)

cheers!
Viking Moose aka drf

[smacky]

So it's okay for joe to stink, eh?

D'oh! Busted.

No, of course it's not ok for joe to stink. (Ok, well sometimes it is.) In the interests of my limited "free" time, though, I just thought it best to inquire after my own self-interests...40 spanks with a wet subscription for me.

[Ruthless]

"40 spanks with a wet subscription for me."

Don't get us goin' here. This is supposed be about the future of journalism isn't it? You have clouded my mind.

[Chuck]

As a Reason subscriber since 1992 (and who still has most of his back issues), I want to add that H&R is an outstanding complement to the print magazine. Even though I mostly lurk on here and only rarely post, checking in on H&R is a daily treat.

[Rick Barton]

Viking Moose aka drf,

That's very kind of you, but i think that it's probably largely due to the fact that I'm among the very few posters that uses their real name and email.

[smacky, representing Viking Mo]

Rick Barton,

Are you insinuating that some of us don't use our real names? smacky is my Christian name. 🙂

[The Wine Commonsewer]

VM, didn't see Abe.

[Rick Barton]

smacky,

If there was ever a blog where it's ok for you to inquire after your own self-interests, this is it. We love you to love yourself. (Ruthless, don't say anything)

BTW, I like your use of the expression "inquire after". It's unusual but I use it sometimes myself. I think I got it from Sherlock Holmes stories.

Hmm. I always thought that Pig was Mr/Ms Mannix's real first name.

[duncan]

Hey now... I use my real name and email address...

okay the email address is a spam trap...

all right, it's only sorta my real name...

but it close!

[duncan]

And good to hear about the increase in traffic for the site. I was wandering around the net looking for intelligent commentary and found Hit and Run through a link at The Moderate Voice. It's nice to see not only good posts but smart conversation in the comments. Everyone is good at confronting the clueless trolls, but not letting this place become an echo chamber either. Fun stuff and great reads. I can't agree with everything said, but I respect your arguments. Thanks for opening my eyes to the other side.

By the way, I think my liberal girlfriend is scared for my soul. I keep coming into the house saying, "I read this great conversation on that libertarian site today..."

[Rick Barton]

I keep coming into the house saying, "I read this great conversation on that libertarian site today..."

YEA!

[Mike Laursen]

Every day bloggers do tons of links to online newspaper stories. If the newspapers would get their act together and work out a system for collecting micropayments, they'd get a lot of their lost revenue back.

[ChrisO]

Considering that porn is almost the only form of Internet content that actually makes money, perhaps U.S. newspapers should take a cue from Old Blighty and put in Page 3 Girls.

[Ruthless]

Didn't the New York Times have Maureen Dowd showing a little leg recently in their magazine section?

[Native NYer]

Does anyone have a good cleaning trick for the vomit I spewed on my keyboard after Ruthless's last comment?

[ChrisO]

Didn't the New York Times have Maureen Dowd showing a little leg recently in their magazine section?

Oh that'll drive subscriptions through the roof!

Actually, I think that photo was supposed to go in the "Women Seeking Men" section, but they misplaced it...

[Ruthless]

"Actually, I think that photo was supposed to go in the "Women Seeking Men" section, but they misplaced it..."

Heah Ah is, Maureen, Baby!

[zeiner]

Viva la Reason!

[Ken Shultz]

As for Reason Online's readership (including Hit & Run), we've pulled over 1.7 million visits in September and October, which represents about a 75 percent increase in traffic over the same period in 2004.

Congratulations!

Does that mean you get to charge carpet humping dude 75% more than last year?

[justsomeone]

You guys should check out enewswires.com. All the news from newspapers and blogs around the country with updates every 15 minutes. It's my homepage.

[Steven Crane]

You should not spam the page before you embarrass yourself further.