Some sellers have exited the newspapers business completely, or nearly so, to focus on other businesses. Prices for exclusive community daily newspapers with paid circulations in excess of 15,000 have continued to be very strong. The vast majority of these newspapers are now group-owned, and that is a trend that will probably continue. Prices for smaller community dailies are also strong. Good-sized community weeklies with strong companion shoppers are doing well if they are located in growing communities and competition is not vigorous.
Smaller weeklies continue to be moderate to weak.
Market vitality continues to be extremely important. If a market is displaying solid, uptrending retail sales, population growth, housing starts and general business activity, the paper serving the market is very attractive to buyers. For an update on the market for your newspaper or shopper, please send us an email and we will give you an honest assessment of the market for your category.