El País remains general-interest news leader in Spain with 2,081,000 readers

El País has posted readership figures of 2,081,000, thus consolidating its absolute lead among non-giveaway, general-interest newspapers according to third round data, 2009, from auditing bureau EGM (Estudio General de Medios). The online edition also enjoyed steady growth. Elpaís.com now has 2,618,000 a month, up 25.4% over the same period in 2008.

By region, the paper is clear leader in Andalucia (229,000 readers) where the paper is the top-ranking non-giveaway paper and remains way ahead of its nearest rivals and other local papers. The paper is also well ahead in Madrid at 668,000 readers. It is also the most-read paper in Valencia (205,000 readers) and in Galicia (137,000 readers). In Galicia, the paper has grown 30% over the past two years.

Of the total readers of PRISA's flagship title, 1,046,000 (50%) read no other general-interest newspaper.

Circulation leader

Latest certified figures from auditing body OJD put El País's circulation at 401,392 copies on average, daily, for the period July 2008 - June 2009. In October 2009, according to data pending certification, the figure was 414,230.

El País Semanal reaches 2,390,000 readers, up 3.2% as compared to the previous quarter. Added to the figure for Dominical, with which Semanal shares advertising and publicity, the total reaches 3,158,000. 2,016,000 of these read no other newspaper supplement. Both supplements rank first in 19 provinces (including Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia) as well in the wider regions of Madrid, Catalonia and Castilla La Mancha.

Among sports papers, As posted readership figures of 1,306,000, up 3% in the last year and 12% since 2007. The online edition has seen growth of 44%, putting its readership at 1,566,000.

Business and finance daily Cinco Días had 71,000 readers.