Local News Sites Increase By 33%

The number of regional news websites created in the UK grew by a third last year, reveal new figures from the Newspaper Society (NS).

A total of 274 local press websites were launched in 2006 and this represents an increase of 33% in comparison to the previous year’s tally, according to the Annual Regional Press Survey.

The study also shows that online advertising revenue rose by 18.3% during the course of the year to a total of £71 million.

“Growth in local newspaper websites means they now collectively represent one of the top UK online properties, attracting an estimated 20 million unique users a month - which would put it above the BBC, alongside Yahoo! and within striking distance of eBay, MSN and Google,” says Russell Whitehair, NS president and chairman of NWN Media.

He adds: “The regional press is growing and reaching new audiences across its print and digital platforms.”

The survey also reveals that local titles employed a total of 618 staff members to handle their online publishing and web design activities in 2006.

NS based its report on information supplied by just over three quarters of the regional press publications in the UK.

Further details can be found in the society’s press release and the survey can be viewed on the NS website.