Global Press Industry
The global press media industry has recorded declining demand over recent years due to the economic recession, changing demographics, evolving readership habits, reduced investment in advertising, a falling off in younger readers and rivalry from competing media channels.
The biggest challenge faced by the global press industry remains changing readership habits instigated by the information technology age. While readers traditionally got daily news from their newspaper, nowadays readers have access to news online as events are unfolding. Press media is no longer at the top of the news chain since the expanding penetration of mobile internet devices.
With consumers increasingly opting for instant information via the web, allowing them to follow news events in real time rather than in printed news, circulation volumes continue to fall. Reading habits are also changing, with a shift from a general overview of world events to specific information searches. Busier lifestyles are leaving consumers with less time; therefore the appeal of a targeted inquiry for relevant information is of more appeal than getting a broad outline with a wider scope.
During times of economic turmoil, newspaper publishers face the challenge of dwindling corporate advertising budgets, with the auto industry and real estate market cutting back on advertising spending. Print media employment pages have also record a decline, and even outside of periods of economic decline, job seekers are increasingly likely to check job offers online and free of charge, rather than buying newspapers.
The press industry has had to accommodate busy metropolitan readers with online versions and smaller-sized print formats to allow city dwellers keep up with the news while travelling in small spaces and allowing access on mobile devices such as iPads and iPhones.
Key Market Segments
- The world newspapers market reached sales of almost $90 billion in 2010. Over the coming years, market growth is expected to rise to an annual rate of 2% through 2015 to exceed $99 billion, according to MarketLine. Daily newspapers represent the leading market segment, exceeding $70 billion, or close to 80% of the overall market.
- Newspaper press orders fell by around 25% in 2011 compared to 2010. As the online market continues to expand in industrialized countries, demand for traditional print press media sees its market share recede. In developing nations such as Brazil and India, the demand for print is rising, fuelled by growing literacy levels and higher income.
- The global magazine publishing market is very competitive, with many start-up magazines failing and established magazine publishers tackling the challenge of declining ad revenue. Custom magazine publishing represents a growth segment, encompassing a range of options such as specialty publications for establishments like businesses or hospitals, and newspaper inserts developed for corporate promotion. Digital magazine publications are increasingly in demand as consumers look to access information online, driven by the expanding market penetration of mobile devices and smartphones.
Industry Leaders
Key players operating in the global press media market include News Corporation, Gannett, The Washington Post, Yomiuri Shimbun, The Economist, The New York Times, South China Morning Post Publishers, Conde Nast and The Tribune.
Market Outlook
Press publishers are adapting to a new market landscape as the number of consumers owning mobile devices continues to soar. Newspapers and magazines are offering digital versions of their paper publications to remain competitive. An online presence is fast becoming vital for publishers to remain on the market.
Other changes to the market include circulation formats, with many publishers bringing out smaller formats to appeal to consumers wishing to keep up with the news while in confines of city transit.
Due to the economic recession, many businesses have cut back drastically on advertising expenditure, which encourages publishers to promote special ad package offers to encourage spending. Publishers are also looking to cut back on spending, with many outfits outsourcing services.
Leading Industry Associations
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