Circulation Grows at The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, May 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dallas Morning News' recent Publisher's Statement^* filed with the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC)^** for the six-month period ended March 31, 2011, reported total average circulation of 404,951 Monday-Friday, 698,667 Weekend and 375,100 Sunday, representing +1.3%, +1.5% and +.6% increases, respectively, compared to the six-month period ended March 31, 2010.

The figures above include branded editions within The Dallas Morning News' comprehensive portfolio. By targeting a variety of audiences, the portfolio continues to positively affect The News' total reach. Total average circulation figures include:  

• The Dallas Morning News: 251,510 Monday-Friday; 362,969 Sunday
• Briefing: 201,919 Wednesday-Saturday;^*** 121,146 Monday-Friday
• Al Dia: 121,620 Saturday; 98,336 Wednesday
• Denton Record-Chronicle: 12,628 Monday-Friday; 12,131 Sunday

Additionally, while continuing to support its Newspaper in Education (NIE) relationship with local schools, The Dallas Morning News elected to exclude 24,829 Monday-Friday and 8,766 Sunday NIE copies from its latest filing with ABC.  This election was made in consideration of advertiser wishes, and in accordance with the continued portfolio strategy focused on delivering quality reach and quantifiable audiences.

"Our portfolio is made up of products that reach mass and targeted audiences throughout North Texas," said John McKeon, president of The Dallas Morning News. "We produce and distribute news and information that deliver qualified audiences to a wide range of local, regional and national advertisers."

The Dallas Morning News continued its premium pricing strategy during this period and began asking consumers to pay for online and mobile access to "Subscriber Content."  By offering subscribers access to exclusive stories and premium features on its website, tablet and smartphone platforms, The News is positioned to continue expanding its reach beyond traditional print products.  The News is now tracking delivery across its digital platforms and will commence semi-annual reporting of digital results with the September 2011 Publisher's Statement.

"We're very pleased with our adoption rate," publisher Jim Moroney said. "We are one of the first major-market newspapers in the country to provide our subscribers with exclusive access to our local coverage on digital platforms.  Initial results indicate that subscribers are embracing these new ways to engage with our quality journalism."

About The Dallas Morning News:

Established in 1885, The Dallas Morning News (dallasnews.com) is Texas' leading newspaper and the flagship newspaper subsidiary of A. H. Belo Corporation. Its portfolio of print and online products reaches an average daily audience of more than 1.1 million and includes: online news and information sites; iPhone and iPad apps; the leading Spanish-language daily in North Texas, Al Dia; the standard-setting free entertainment tabloid, Quick; and the free, home-delivered quick-read, Briefing. The Dallas Morning News has received nine Pulitzer Prizes since 1986, as well as numerous other industry awards recognizing the quality of its investigative and feature journalism, design and photojournalism.

About A. H. Belo Corporation:

A. H. Belo Corporation (NYSE: AHC), headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a distinguished newspaper publishing and local news and information company that owns and operates four daily newspapers and a diverse group of websites.  A. H. Belo publishes The Dallas Morning News, Texas' leading newspaper and winner of nine Pulitzer Prizes; The Providence Journal, the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the U.S. and winner of four Pulitzer Prizes; The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA), serving the Inland Southern California region and winner of one Pulitzer Prize; and the Denton Record-Chronicle.  The Company publishes various niche publications targeting specific audiences, and its partnerships and/or investments include the Yahoo! Newspaper Consortium and Classified Ventures, owner of cars.com.  A. H. Belo also owns and operates commercial printing, distribution and direct mail service businesses.  Additional information is available at www.ahbelo.com or by contacting David A. Gross, vice president/Investor Relations and Strategic Analysis, at 214-977-4810.

*This period's Publisher's Statement includes Denton Record-Chronicle as a branded edition of The Dallas Morning News, which was not included in the March 2010 Publisher's Statement. If the Denton Record-Chronicle had not been included in the March 2011 Publisher's Statement, total average circulation would have declined –1.8% Monday-Friday, -0.3% Weekend, and –2.7% Sunday.

** As filed with the Audit Bureau of Circulations, subject to audit.

***This figure reflects a simple average calculated by TDMN, based on figures filed with ABC, to more accurately reflect the average for actual days published.

SOURCE The Dallas Morning News