Digital subscriptions overtake print subscriptions for the first time

News UK today announced a major subscription milestone with The Times and The Sunday Times reaching 500,000 subscribers at the end of June 2018. Digital subscribers have overtaken print subscribers for the first time, with digital-only subscriptions up 20 per cent year on year to 255,000, in the most successful year since the digital subscription model was launched in 2010.

The Times and The Sunday Times have subscribers in 120 countries and 3.75m Registered Access users who can sample two complimentary articles per week.

The Times has an average daily print circulation of 431,053 and its print subscriptions are in growth year-on-year. Both The Times and The Sunday Times are number one in their respective markets by the industry standard measure of print circulation, and reach over 8m adults* each month.

Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, said: “We’re delighted to reach half a million subscribers which is testament to our digital transformation and reflects growing demand for quality news and opinion. Since launching digital subscriptions in 2010 we have continued to innovate and invest in world class journalism and understand more about what both customers and advertisers want and need. Both print and digital subscribers are staying longer and spending more and we believe there continues to be potential to attract new audiences.”

John Witherow, Editor of The Times, said: “As Britain’s most trusted national newspaper, The Times consistently delivers thorough news and analysis alongside incisive commentary from across the political spectrum and fine writing that injects wit and wisdom into all our sections. Our formats and platforms may continually evolve, but the quality of what we produce is constant and we are very encouraged that ever more people turn to us to be their guide to what matters.”

Martin Ivens, Editor of The Sunday Times, said: “In the age of information overload, the role of exclusive, investigative reporting, expert columnists and cultural commentary is more important than ever. Readers trust our award-winning journalists to navigate a complex world for them and constantly innovate in how we tell those stories.”