El País closes 2008 with average daily circulation of 431,034 copies

The economic downturn in 2008, affecting all sectors of the economy, has also hit the print media. Despite the crisis, however, El País strengthened its lead by the end of the year, with an average daily circulation of 431,034 copies. With this latest figure, El País has widened its lead over its closest rival by 107,656 copies daily, meaning the gap between the two papers has grown by 8,800 copies over the past 12 months.

According to figures from the auditing bureau OJD (Oficina de Justificación de la Difusión), El País saw sales figures fall slightly by 1% in 2008 as compared to the previous year, with circulation dropping from 435,083 to 431,034.

Among the business and finance dailies, Cinco Días sold, on average, 40,077 copies a day over 2008, its second-best performance ever and just 1% down from the previous year, its best ever.

Sports papers were also down. Sales figures for As were down 1%, at 230,492 copies, over 2007.

These figures for 2008 are pending certification by the OJD.