Guardian Announces Strong Rise In Reader Support

The Guardian has announced a strong rise in reader support including a 39 per cent year-on-year increase in digital subscriptions across the publisher’s premium apps and tablet editions.

The Guardian said recurring monthly supporters had increased by 23 per cent over the past 12 months made up of a sharp rise in digital subscriptions, a 20 per cent increase in recurring contributors, patrons and members, and a three per cent increase in print subscriptions.

Digital subscriptions have grown particularly quickly, driven by the October 2019 launch of the Guardian’s paid Daily app as well as an increase in subscriptions to the Guardian’s existing premium Live app.

With record traffic to the Guardian’s high-quality journalism, so far in April 2020 the Guardian has added an additional 50,000 recurring supporters, with all categories of Guardian support growing 2-3 times faster than normal.

Guardian News & Media editor-in-chief Katharine Viner said: “Over the last 12 months the Guardian has provided independent, fact-based journalism to unprecedented numbers of readers. Readership and financial support from readers have grown at record rates during the past two months of the coronavirus.

“While the future is tough for news organisations, we are very grateful to Guardian readers around the world, who are helping us to ensure that high-quality news is accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.”

Guardian Media Group chief executive Annette Thomas said: “The appetite for trusted, authoritative news and information has never been larger, but news media organisations face huge challenges: widespread disruption in the advertising sector, structural decline in print sales and rapidly changing habits of news consumption. Like others, the Guardian will face significant financial challenges over the next 12 months as a result of coronavirus.

“With a highly trusted brand and clear values, a majority-digital business and a rapidly growing base of global supporters willing to pay for quality journalism, The Guardian is well positioned to adapt to serve readers and meet the long-term challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”