As millions of Americans around the country are being ordered to shelter in place and work from home, newsrooms across the U.S. are working harder than ever to keep their readers informed on the latest news involving the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, traffic across the TownNews customer network—made up of more than 2,000 newspaper, TV, radio, and web-native news sites—has spiked sharply.
TownNews customer sites are on pace to deliver a staggering one billion unique pageviews in March. In the past 22 days (March 1st to the 22nd), the industry-leading digital service provider’s media clients are seeing a massive influx (compared to the previous 22-day period):
Visitor sessions have skyrocketed 48%.
Unique visitors have increased 40%.
Unique pageviews are up 44%.
The escalation began on March 9th, and has continued at a steep double-digit rate as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact on all aspects of society.
Unfortunately, any increase in programmatic revenue will not make up for steep advertising losses both in-paper (ROP) and preprint inserts. Broadcasters will also see steep declines in spot advertising, especially from local small businesses, due to ordered closures from local, state, and national governments.
Compelling coronavirus (COVID-19) information and news coverage from across the TownNews customer network.
"Local newspapers, TV and radio stations, and local news websites need the support of their communities more than ever," said Rick Rogers, Chief Revenue Officer at TownNews. "Everyone should consider buying a subscription or membership to these absolutely critical community resources."
Many publishers and CEOs of media companies are working with state, county, and city governments to ensure that they can continue to produce newspapers, newscasts, and online reports by being deemed an "essential service," along with necessary businesses such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and gas stations. Industry organizations like the News Media Alliance are at the forefront of the effort to ensure that local media organizations achieve this designation nationwide.
"Local media and journalism should always be deemed essential services," Rogers said. "In times like these, the data illustrates with vivid clarity that people rely on trusted news sources in their cities to keep up-to-date on the breaking news that impacts their lives, like the coronavirus epidemic.
"But quality, trustworthy journalism isn't free. Everyone needs to chip in, or we'll all pay the price."
