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Articles

Are UK newspapers really dying? A financial analysis of newspaper publishing companies

Pages 19-39 | Received 30 Jun 2017, Accepted 28 Nov 2018, Published online: 04 Feb 2019
 

ABSTRACT

This research follows on a 2014 study of North American newspapers which examined annual financial reports for publicly traded chains and found that none posted an annual loss on an operating basis between 2006 and 2013. An analysis of UK newspaper company financial reports was thus performed to determine whether predictions of extinction similar to those made in North America are likewise unfounded and to compare their performance. Results showed more variation than in the U.S. and Canada. Most UK newspapers are still profitable, but not as profitable as before. The Times, historically a loss maker, has moved to profitability in recent years with the introduction of a paywall for its online content. The same paywall reduced the advertising revenues of News Corp’s Sun and was thus dropped.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marc Edge

Marc Edge has taught at universities in five countries and written five books. His 2014 book Greatly Exaggerated: The Myth of the Death of Newspapers examined the finances of newspaper companies in the U.S. and Canada. His latest book, The News We Deserve: The Transformation of Canada’s Media Landscape, was published in 2016.

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