Print circulation for The (Bergen) Record is plummeting, leaving some to wonder if the crown jewel of Gannett’s New Jersey portfolio will soon follow the Star-Ledger and cease printing newspapers.
The Record’s daily print circulation has dropped by 90.2% since 2013, from 144,487 to 14,196 in 2024.
Dan Sforza, the executive editor of The Record, said the newspaper will remain in print despite their decline.
“We have no plans to cease print operations for The Bergen Record. Any speculation otherwise is irresponsible misinformation. Our dedication to providing comprehensive coverage of the greater Bergen County area remains as strong as ever,” said Sforza. “We believe in the value of print as we continue to focus on opportunities for digital growth.”
Circulation data will be a factor as the legislature considers whether to continue mandating legal notices in the future, especially as the closures of the Star-Ledger, Jersey Journal, Trenton Times, and South Jersey on February 1 will leave some county and local governments without a means to fulfill the state notices law.
“Towns are paying the same rate to reach 10% of the people, and that’s ridiculous,” one Bergen County lawmaker told the New Jersey Globe. “We need to revisit this.”
According to the Pew Research Center, the daily circulation of newspapers nationally is down 40% since 2015.
Data provided by Gannett that was included in a lawsuit filed by Warren County this week showed similar drops by other newspapers in daily circulation:
* Asbury Park Press: 11,513, down 89.3% since 2007
* Burlington County Times: 1,966, down 88.9% since 2016
* Courier News: 1,337, down 95.9% since 2007
* Courier-Post 3,234, down 95.3% since 2007
* Daily Journal: 1,113, down 90.8% since 2016
* Daily Record: 1,435, down 96.3% since 2007
* Home News Tribune: 2,144, down 95.6% since 2010
“We have no plans to cease print operations for any of the titles noted,” a Gannett spokesperson stated.
This story was updated with comment from Gannett at 3:37 PM.