The Age maintains lead over rival in new readership figures
By Staff reporter
The Age has held its position as the second most-read masthead in the nation, with a cross-platform readership of 4.56 million, according to new data from Roy Morgan.
The figures, which are based on the measure of monthly average audience, point to about one in five Australians reading The Age. Cross-platform readership lifted 0.2 per cent compared to the last quarter, with The Age remaining ahead of key competitor The Herald Sun, which has a cross-platform readership of 4.23 million.
The Age has a cross-platform readership of 4.56 million.Credit: Simon Schlute
The Age’s Monday to Friday print edition had an average issue readership of 252,000, the Saturday Age had a readership of 381,000, and the Sunday Age print edition is read by 358,000 people.
“That our audience remains so strong is a testament to the excellent work of our reporting teams, who continue to break news that leads the national agenda and tell exclusive Victorian stories worth paying for,” said The Age editor Patrick Elligett.
Good Weekend, which is published in The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, is read by 657,000 people per issue, on average, while Sunday Life had an average issue print readership of 348,000.
Good Food, also published by both The Age and the Sydney Morning Herald, had total news readership of 1.59 million people across print and digital. This masthead’s owner, Nine Entertainment, late last year launched the Good Food app, which gives readers access to recipes, restaurant news, and reviews.
Sister publication the Sydney Morning Herald maintained its position as the most-read masthead in the nation, with cross-platform readership of 6.9 million.
More broadly, Roy Morgan’s data found 22 million Australians were reading the news every month and 18.4 million people were reading on a weekly basis. Ninety-three per cent of news consumers accessed up to five different news brands each month, it said.
ThinkNewsBrands chief executive Vanessa Lyons said the data showed how much news had become a part of everyday life for much of the population. “With 22 million people tuning in each month, it’s clear that news brands are doing something right in keeping people informed and engaged,” she said.
The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.