<font color="#FF0033"><b>IRS Round 1, 2005</b></font>: Urban SEC A favours TOI, Jagran

For the second time in a row, the mighty Times of India's readership has declined. As per IRS Round 1, 2005, the newspaper's readership has marginally dropped by 0.66 per cent. Even in the IRS Round 2, 2004, its readership had declined by 1.89 per cent.

That apart, the newspaper continues to maintain its leadership position among the Urban SEC A readers. In this category, the paper continues to be the leader with a readership of 38.25 lakhs. The total readership of TOI is 70.51 lakhs, and is in the overall eleventh position.

Dainik Jagran holds the second position among Urban SEC A readers with a readership of 20.77 lakhs. Hindustan Times is at the third position with a readership of 19.88 lakhs. India Today comes in next at the fourth position with a readership of 18.85 lakhs. Dainik Bhaskar is the fifth largest read publication in this segment with a readership of 15.40 lakhs.

Among the Urban SEC B readers, Dainik Jagran is the largest read publication with a readership of 27.98 lakhs. Dainik Bhaskar is second with a readership of 22.67 lakhs. The Times Of India is the third largest publication in this category with a readership of 18.75 lakhs. The fourth and fifth positions are occupied by Amar Ujala and Gujarat Samachar with a readership of 15.17 lakhs and 12.77 lakhs, respectively.

In the rural market, R1-R2 segment, Dainik Jagran has emerged as the leader with a readership of 40.35 lakhs. Saras Salil is the second most read publication in this segment with a readership of 23.04 lakhs. Hindustan holds the third position with readership of 19.29 lakhs. Dainik Bhaskar and Amar Ujala hold the next two positions with a readership of 10.29 lakhs and 18.39 lakhs, respectively.

Among female readers, Malayala Manorama continues to lead with a readership of 34.17 lakhs, despite its decline in overall readership. The total readership of this Malayalam daily has declined by 3.75 per cent. Among the female readers, Dainik Jagran is just behind Manorama with a readership of 33.67 lakhs, followed by Dainik Bhaskar with a readership of 31.41 lakhs. The next two positions are also held by two Malayalam publications, Mathrubhumi and Vanitha with a readership of 28.07 lakhs and 26.33 lakhs, respectively.

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