Prajjal Saha & Sapna Nair
Media

IRS 2008 Round 1: Six out of top 10 dailies report marginal negative growth

No new names among the top 10 publications, except that Hindustan and Malayala Manorama, and TOI and ABP have inter-changed their positions

India’s most read publication, Dainik Jagran, has reported a marginal decline in readership, as per the latest round of IRS 2008. The readership of Dainik Jagran as per the current round of IRS stands at 1,63,84,000, which is around 1,18,000 readers less than in the previous round.

On the other hand, its closest competitor and arch rival, Dainik Bhaskar has reported an almost steady readership. Its readership has increased only by 9,000 readers from 1,28,23,000 readers in IRS 2007, Round 2, to 1,28,32,000 readers in the current round.

At No. 3, Hindustan has not only moved up one position from the previous round, it has also registered a growth of 2,01,000 readers. As per the current IRS round, it has 87,52,000 readers.

Malayala Manorama, at No. 4, has recorded a readership of 86,14,000 readers. Not only has it had to give up the No. 3 position to Hindustan, its readership has also declined by 48,000 readers from 86,62,000 readers in IRS 2007, Round 2.

Amar Ujala has not only retained fifth rank among the top 10 publications, it has also reported a marginal increase in readership of 16,000 readers.

Daily Tanthi, at No. 6, has recorded a decline in readership of 4 per cent from 79,10,000 readers in the last round of the IRS to 75,64,000 readers in the current round. In absolute terms, its readership has declined by 3,46,000 readers.

Rajasthan Patrika is yet another daily that has reported a decline in readership. It has retained its No. 7 position among the top 10 dailies, but its readership has declined by 70,000 readers.

Eenadu, at No. 8, has recorded a growth in readership of 1,90,000 readers. Its readership has increased from 69.19 lakh readers to 71.09 lakh readers in the current round.

The ninth and tenth positions have been interchanged by The Times of India and Ananda Bazaar Patrika, and interestingly, both have registered negative growth. At No. 9, TOI’s readership stands at 67,89,000, which is 39,000 readers less than in the previous round. ABP, which has been pushed one position down, has recorded a loss in readership of 77,000. Currently, its readership stands at 67,78,000.

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