Who Pays for Local News in the US?

By: Mason Walker

Local newsrooms in the US are struggling financially. However, the public is largely unaware of the issues their local newsrooms are facing. 14% of US adults claim to have paid for local news in some form.

A study conducted by Pew Research Center identified the demographics and traits of Americans more likely to pay for local news. These include:

1. Older Americans

2. White Americans

3. College educated Americans

4. Americans who prefer print news products

5. Americans who are more involved in their community

It is important for local newsrooms to identify their key consumers in order to cater to the needs of their current subscribers and to target potential subscribers.

If you have any other insights that you would like to share, please do reach out.

We're a group of graduate business students exploring the importance of local newspapers and news sites, with a focus on sustainability and related business practices. We're hoping to build a community of stakeholders to help and support our research. Please reach out if you're available for an interview to share your thoughts and experiences on the topic.

Read full article at: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/12/who-pays-for-local-news-in-the-u-s/