Savannah’s Local Newspaper Faces Significant Subscription Decline as Digital Consumption Rises

Savannah’s Newspaper Circulation Takes a Dramatic Dive

Hey there, Savannah! If you were planning on grabbing a copy of the local newspaper, you might want to sit down for this one. Recent findings show that the Savannah Morning News has experienced a significant drop in circulation, and it’s a trend that’s leaving many residents a bit puzzled.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to the latest audit, which covers an 18-month period ending March 31, 2024, the circulation of the Savannah Morning News has plummeted to just 5,627 daily printed copies. That’s a stark contrast to two years ago when that number stood at about 13,457 copies! And we’re not just talking about daily issues—Sunday circulation has also seen a decline with just 7,024 print copies and 1,302 digital-only subscribers reported for March 2024.

When you compare these figures to the same audit from 2022 where Sunday circulation was reported at nearly 14,914, you can easily see how alarming this trend is. In fact, the SMN has lost an astonishing 50% of its total subscribers across both print and digital platforms. Yikes!

What Changed?

So, what’s behind this dramatic drop? Well, there have been some noteworthy changes in how the newspaper conducts its deliveries. Back in January 2024, the SMN made a crucial switch from home delivery to processing newspapers through the U.S. Postal Service. If that wasn’t enough, they also dropped their Saturday edition back in March 2022, which likely contributed to fewer overall sales.

What’s more, the Sunday edition is printed on Friday night, and folks only see it starting Saturday through the mail. This shift in operations raises questions about readership and how often locals are engaging with their daily news.

Where Are all the Readers Going?

As for why so many subscribers are disappearing? Well, many newspapers across the country are facing similar fates with consumers opting for digital news sources instead. It’s a sign of the times, and with the world leaning more towards the digital space, old-school newspapers are having a tough time keeping up. It seems that more people are tuning into their news through websites and social media, rather than flipping through physical pages.

The SMN does have a few digital-only subscribers, with numbers reported at 1,317 for Sundays and 1,481 on Saturdays. But it hasn’t been enough to fill the gap left by the print editions’ decline.

Got Questions? You’re Not Alone!

This drop in circulation has left many in Savannah scratching their heads. How will this affect local advertising? Will the paper adjust its content to better fit a digital-ready audience? And what happens to local journalism if newspapers can’t sustain their operations?

Well, as it stands right now, the SMN is operated by Gannett Co. Inc., which oversees a plethora of newspapers nationwide, including USA Today. They’ve recently shuffled their editorial staff and now have Jill Newels at the helm as the executive editor for the Savannah branch. This new leadership might just bring a fresh perspective on how to tackle the ongoing challenges.

The Bottom Line

As residents of Savannah, we value our local news and the stories that shape our community. The changes are a wake-up call to us about how we consume information and what we can do to support our local newspaper. After all, without our readership, how can we expect local stories to be told?

So, what do you think, Savannahians? Are you still committed to your local newspaper, or have you switched to other forms of media? Let’s keep the conversations going!