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Regional Newspaper Publishing in the UK Industry Data and Analysis
Operating conditions in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry have been difficult over the past five years as part of a longer-term downwards trajectory. The rise of digital media has made it easy for consumers to access a range of news articles and reports for free, negating the need to purchase or pick up regional newspapers. As a result, readership is down, with Ofcom stating that in 2025, only 19% of the population used printed newspapers to access news. With readership down, so is revenue from advertisers as they seek to maximise their returns elsewhere. In turn, publishers have significantly scaled back circulation volumes, further feeding this cycle of decline. Over the five years to 2025-26, revenue is expected to drop at a compound annual rate of 6.2% to £1.5 billion, with a 4.4% fall in 2025-26 alone.
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What's included in this industry analysis
IBISWorld's research coverage on the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom includes market sizing, forecasting, data and analysis from 2016-2031. The most recent publication was released January 2026.
About this industry
What's this industry report about?
The Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom operates under the SIC industry code SP0.168. Companies in this industry publish newspapers that are aimed at a particular local or regional community. The industry does not include publications that only appear online. National newspapers are also excluded from the industry. Related terms covered in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom include part-paid part-free, classified advertising, display advertising and hyperlocal.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom include Daily and Sunday papers, Paid weekly papers and Free weekly papers.
What companies are included in this industry?
Companies covered in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom include Reach plc, USA TODAY Co Inc and Iconic Media Holdings Ltd.
Performance
What's included in the Performance chapter?
The Performance chapter covers detailed analysis, datasets, detailed current performance, sources of volatility and an outlook with forecasts for the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include what's driving current industry performance, what influences industry volatility, how do successful businesses overcome volatility, what's driving the industry outlook. This analysis is supported with data and statistics on industry revenues, costs, profits, businesses and employees.
Products & Markets
What's included in the Products and Markets chapter?
The Products and Markets chapter covers detailed products and service segmentation and analysis of major markets for the for the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include how are the industry's products and services performing, what are innovations in industry products and services, what products or services do successful businesses offer and what's influencing demand from the industry's markets. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by product and service segmentation and major markets.
Geographic Breakdown
What's included in the Geographic Breakdown chapter?
The Geographic Breakdown chapter covers detailed analysis and datasets on regional performance of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
Questions answered in this chapter include where are industry businesses located and how do businesses use location to their advantage. This includes data and statistics on industry revenues by location.
Competitive Forces
What's included in the Competitive Forces chapter?
The Competitive Forces chapter covers the concentration, barriers to entry and supplier and buyer profiles in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on industry market share concentration, barriers to entry, substitute products and buyer & supplier power.
Questions answered in this chapter include what impacts the industry's market share concentration, how do successful businesses handle concentration, what challenges do potential industry entrants face, how can potential entrants overcome barriers to entry, what are substitutes for industry services, how do successful businesses compete with substitutes and what power do buyers and suppliers have over the industry and how do successful businesses manage buyer & supplier power.
Companies
What's included in the Companies chapter?
The Companies chapter covers Key Takeaways, Market Share and Companies in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and analysis on companies operating in the industry that hold a market share greater than 5%.
Questions answered in this chapter include what companies have a meaningful market share and how each company is performing.
External Environment
What's included in the External Environment chapter?
The External Environment chapter covers Key Takeaways, External Drivers, Regulation & Policy and Assistance in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom. This includes data and statistics on factors impacting industry revenue such as economic indicators, regulation, policy and assistance programs.
Questions answered in this chapter include what demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the industry, what regulations impact the industry, what assistance is available to this industry.
Financial Benchmarks
What's included in the Financial Benchmarks chapter?
The Financial Benchmarks chapter covers Key Takeaways, Cost Structure, Financial Ratios, Valuation Multiples and Key Ratios in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom. This includes financial data and statistics on industry performance including key cost inputs, profitability, key financial ratios and enterprise value multiples.
Questions answered in this chapter include what trends impact industry costs and how financial ratios have changed overtime.
Industry Data
What's included in the Industry Data chapter?
The Industry Data chapter includes 10 years of historical data with 5 years of forecast data covering statistics like revenue, industry value add, establishments, enterprises, employment and wages in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the market size of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is £1.5bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
There are 85 businesses in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 6.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom are Reach plc, USA TODAY Co Inc and Iconic Media Holdings Ltd
What does the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom include?
Paid weekly papers and Free weekly papers are part of the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom is Reach plc.
How competitive is the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Regional Newspaper Publishing industry in the United Kingdom.
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