Union-Tribune circulation takes a hit

This morning's (May 1) data from the Alliance for Audited Media (formerly the Audit Bureau of Circulations) show the Union-Tribune taking a circulation beating from last year.

For the six month period ended March 31, 2014, compared with the six months ended March 31, 2013, Sunday circulation dropped from 425,000 to 362,166. (These data include branded editions and digital.) On Monday, the decline was from 222,572 to 196,062. On Tuesday, the drop was from 226,400 to 182,516. On Wednesday, the decline was from 230,151 to 192,751. Thursday's drop was from 285,474 to 249,201. Friday's decline was from 288,385 to 243,201.

The only gain was on Saturday, from 345,103 to 367,438. That largely reflected 171,401 in a branded edition. Branded editions on other days ran from 27,000 to 92,000.

The company earlier admitted to employees that it was not meeting its goals. The company has recently raised prices sharply for street editions. I have heard anecdotally that subscription prices have gone up, too, although I have not checked that with the company.