Washington Post Cuts Weekday Circulation Losses

The Washington Post has cut its circulation losses for its Monday-through-Friday and Sunday editions, but losses for the Saturday edition remain largely unchanged from previous measures.

Sales of the Monday-through-Friday paper have nearly leveled off, losing 1.2 percent during the most recent six-month period ending March 31 reported by the Audit Bureau of Circulations, which monitors circulation. In contrast, weekday circulation fell 3.5 percent during the same period two years ago.

Circulation at the Post fell 1.9 percent during the second and third quarters of 2008.

Sales of the Sunday paper were down 2.4 percent compared to the previous six-month period and sales of the Saturday edition were off 3.1 percent, the Bureau said.

"We are pleased that, despite a newsstand price increase from 50 cents to 75 cents in January, we have been able to minimize circulation loss and maintain our unparalleled penetration of greater Washington," said Post president Steven Hills.