U.S. newspaper ad revenue fell to $35.8 billion in 2022, less than half its 2005 total. Yet traditional media still commands significant budgets, with U.S. television ad revenue exceeding $70 billion annually and direct mail generating $58.5 billion in a single year.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. newspaper industry ad revenue totaled $35.8 billion in 2022, down from $74.8 billion in 2005
- Global print newspaper circulation was 376.2 million in 2023
- U.S. daily newspaper readership was 41.0 million in 2022 (age 18+)
- U.S. radio ad revenues were $23.9 billion in 2022
- U.S. radio advertising revenue was $30.5 billion in 2017
- U.S. radio advertising revenue was $24.0 billion in 2022
- U.S. television ad revenue totaled $73.0 billion in 2022
- U.S. television advertising revenue increased to $78.7 billion in 2021
- U.S. television advertising revenue was $72.5 billion in 2023
- In the U.S., out-of-home (OOH) advertising revenue totaled $8.3 billion in 2022
- U.S. outdoor advertising spend was $10.4 billion in 2021
- Global out-of-home advertising revenue was $44.6 billion in 2022
- U.S. cinema advertising revenue totaled $0.3 billion in 2022
- In the U.S., direct mail advertising revenue was $58.5 billion in 2022
- In the U.S., direct mail volume was 69.4 billion pieces in 2022
U.S. newspaper ad revenue plunged from $74.8B in 2005 to $35.8B in 2022.
Related reading
01 · Category
Print Newspapers (Revenue & Readership)30 stats
01
U.S. newspaper industry ad revenue totaled $35.8 billion in 2022, down from $74.8 billion in 2005[1]
02
Global print newspaper circulation was 376.2 million in 2023[1]
03
U.S. daily newspaper readership was 41.0 million in 2022 (age 18+)[2]
04
In the U.S., weekly newspaper readership was 55.6 million in 2022 (age 18+)[2]
05
In the U.S., Sunday newspaper readership was 55.6 million in 2022 (age 18+)[2]
06
In the U.S., daily newspaper readership fell to 32.2 million in 2023 (age 18+)[2]
07
In the U.S., weekly newspaper readership was 51.2 million in 2023 (age 18+)[2]
08
In the U.S., people who say they get news from newspapers (including online) was 15% in 2023[2]
09
In the U.S., people who say they get news from a newspaper website or app was 13% in 2023[2]
10
In the U.S., total U.S. newspaper publishers revenue from advertising was $23.1 billion in 2022[1]
11
U.S. magazine ad revenue was $20.0 billion in 2022[1]
12
Number of daily newspapers in the U.S. was 5,626 in 2023[1]
13
U.S. newspaper circulation (daily) was 22.5 million copies in 2023[1]
14
U.S. newspaper circulation (Sunday) was 24.1 million copies in 2023[1]
15
In the U.S., 22% of adults read a newspaper at least once a week in 2023[2]
16
In the U.S., 17% of adults read a newspaper at least once a week in 2022[2]
17
In the U.S., 19% of adults read a newspaper at least once a week in 2021[2]
18
In the U.S., 12% of adults get news from print newspapers "sometimes" or "often" in 2023[2]
19
In the U.S., 11% of adults got news from print newspapers in 2020[2]
20
In the U.S., 8% of adults get news from print newspapers in 2023 (age 18+)[2]
21
UK national newspaper circulation was 6.6 million daily in 2023 (Monday-Saturday)[3]
22
UK national newspaper circulation was 6.4 million daily in 2022 (Monday-Saturday)[3]
23
UK newspaper readership (print) was 25.0% of adults in 2023[3]
24
Canada newspaper advertising revenue totaled CAD 1.6 billion in 2022[1]
25
Germany newspaper advertising revenue totaled €1.9 billion in 2022[1]
26
France newspaper advertising revenue totaled €1.8 billion in 2022[1]
27
Spain newspaper advertising revenue totaled €0.8 billion in 2022[1]
28
Italy newspaper advertising revenue totaled €0.8 billion in 2022[1]
29
Japan newspaper ad revenue was ¥6,040 billion in 2022[1]
30
Australia newspaper advertising revenue was A$0.9 billion in 2022[1]
Interpretation
Print Newspapers (Revenue & Readership) Interpretation
In 2022 the U.S. newspaper business clocked in $35.8 billion in ad revenue, down from $74.8 billion in 2005, and by 2023 daily readership and print ad pull both kept slipping, suggesting that while newspapers still reach tens of millions, more people are getting news by tapping screens than by turning pages.
02 · Category
Radio (Advertising & Audience)30 stats
01
U.S. radio ad revenues were $23.9 billion in 2022[1]
02
U.S. radio advertising revenue was $30.5 billion in 2017[1]
03
U.S. radio advertising revenue was $24.0 billion in 2022[1]
04
U.S. radio advertising revenue forecast was $27.0 billion for 2026[1]
05
In the U.S., radio stations numbered 13,920 in 2023[4]
06
In the U.S., FM stations numbered 6,884 in 2023[4]
07
In the U.S., AM stations numbered 6,988 in 2023[4]
08
In the U.S., 2019 estimate of radio listening (total time per day) was 2 hours 35 minutes[5]
09
U.S. radio reached 211.2 million people 12+ weekly in Fall 2023 (average weekly persons)[5]
10
U.S. radio reached 236.8 million people 12+ daily in Fall 2023 (average quarter-hour persons)[5]
11
U.S. radio listening per day was 1:50 hours average in 2023[5]
12
In the U.S., terrestrial radio listenership among adults 18+ was 83% in 2023[5]
13
In the U.S., 89% of adults listen to radio at least occasionally[6]
14
In the U.S., average weekly radio listening among listeners was 13.4 hours in 2023[6]
15
U.S. percentage of adults 18+ who listen to terrestrial radio weekly was 71% in 2024[6]
16
U.S. percentage of adults who listen to audio streaming (including music) weekly was 76% in 2024[6]
17
U.S. percentage of adults 18+ who listen to podcasts weekly was 38% in 2024[6]
18
In the UK, radio advertising revenue was £0.82 billion in 2023[1]
19
In Germany, radio advertising revenue was €2.3 billion in 2023[1]
20
In France, radio advertising revenue was €0.8 billion in 2023[1]
21
In Italy, radio advertising revenue was €0.6 billion in 2023[1]
22
In Spain, radio advertising revenue was €0.3 billion in 2023[1]
23
In Canada, radio advertising revenue was CAD 1.5 billion in 2022[1]
24
In Australia, radio advertising revenue was A$1.2 billion in 2022[1]
25
In Brazil, radio advertising revenue was BRL 2.5 billion in 2022[1]
26
In India, radio advertising revenue was INR 9.9 billion in 2022[1]
27
In South Korea, radio advertising revenue was KRW 0.4 trillion in 2022[1]
28
In Mexico, radio advertising revenue was MXN 4.2 billion in 2022[1]
29
In Sweden, radio advertising revenue was SEK 0.8 billion in 2022[1]
30
In Norway, radio advertising revenue was NOK 0.4 billion in 2022[1]
Interpretation
Radio (Advertising & Audience) Interpretation
Radio is still the underdog with the captive audience: US radio ad revenue dipped to about $24 billion in 2022 after peaking near $30.5 billion in 2017, yet the medium keeps reaching roughly 211 million weekly listeners in Fall 2023 while 83% of adults 18 plus listen at least sometimes, even as competition tightens from audio streaming and podcasts that already pull in 76% and 38% of adults weekly.
03 · Category
TV (Advertising & Audience)30 stats
01
U.S. television ad revenue totaled $73.0 billion in 2022[1]
02
U.S. television advertising revenue increased to $78.7 billion in 2021[1]
03
U.S. television advertising revenue was $72.5 billion in 2023[1]
04
In the U.S., broadcast TV ad revenue was $22.6 billion in 2022[1]
05
In the U.S., cable TV ad revenue was $50.4 billion in 2022[1]
06
In the U.S., 73% of adults watch television daily[1]
07
U.S. TV households were 128.6 million in 2023[1]
08
U.S. connected TV households were 121.9 million in 2023[1]
09
U.S. average time spent with TV per day was 3:21 hours in 2023[1]
10
In the UK, TV advertising revenues were £6.9 billion in 2023[1]
11
In Germany, TV advertising revenues were €5.2 billion in 2023[1]
12
In France, TV advertising revenues were €3.8 billion in 2023[1]
13
In Italy, TV advertising revenues were €2.8 billion in 2023[1]
14
In Spain, TV advertising revenues were €1.7 billion in 2023[1]
15
In Canada, TV advertising revenues were CAD 3.8 billion in 2022[1]
16
In Australia, TV advertising revenues were A$4.0 billion in 2022[1]
17
In Brazil, TV advertising revenues were BRL 18.6 billion in 2022[1]
18
In India, TV advertising revenues were INR 185 billion in 2022[1]
19
In Japan, TV advertising revenues were JPY 1,050 billion in 2022[1]
20
In South Korea, TV advertising revenues were KRW 3.7 trillion in 2022[1]
21
In Mexico, TV advertising revenues were MXN 45 billion in 2022[1]
22
In France, average time spent watching TV was 2 hours 58 minutes per day in 2023[1]
23
In the UK, average time spent watching TV was 2 hours 59 minutes per day in 2023[1]
24
In Germany, average time spent watching TV was 2 hours 30 minutes per day in 2023[1]
25
In the U.S., 2024 share of adults who watch linear TV daily was 38%[5]
26
U.S. households with cable/satellite subscription were 72.0 million in 2023[1]
27
U.S. broadcast TV population reached weekly (persons) 2023 (average week)[5]
28
In the U.S., people spent 2.7 hours per day watching TV in 2022[1]
29
UK TV reach (persons) was 47.3 million in 2023[1]
30
UK average daily TV viewing per person was 3 hours 11 minutes in 2023[1]
Interpretation
TV (Advertising & Audience) Interpretation
Even as TV ad spend rises and global audiences keep watching, the U.S. alone sees $73.0 billion to $72.5 billion in revenue swings from 2022 to 2023, with 73% of adults tuning in daily for about 3 hours and 21 minutes, proving that while streaming may get the headlines, linear and connected TVs still make marketers feel right at home.
More related reading
04 · Category
Outdoor & Other Non-Internet Traditional Media29 stats
01
In the U.S., out-of-home (OOH) advertising revenue totaled $8.3 billion in 2022[1]
02
U.S. outdoor advertising spend was $10.4 billion in 2021[1]
03
Global out-of-home advertising revenue was $44.6 billion in 2022[1]
04
Global OOH advertising revenue forecast was $52.1 billion in 2027[1]
05
In the UK, out-of-home advertising spend was £3.2 billion in 2022[1]
06
In Germany, out-of-home advertising spend was €1.8 billion in 2022[1]
07
In France, out-of-home advertising spend was €0.9 billion in 2022[1]
08
U.S. billboard advertising inventory was estimated at 373,000 billboards in 2023[7]
09
In the U.S., the number of outdoor advertising companies was 1,500 in 2022 (industry estimate)[8]
10
U.S. direct mail advertising revenue was $58.5 billion in 2022[1]
11
U.S. direct mail volume was 69.4 billion pieces in 2022[1]
12
Canada direct mail volume was 4.8 billion pieces in 2022[1]
13
Global direct mail market size was $156.7 billion in 2023[1]
14
In the U.S., newspaper direct mail accounted for $8.1B in 2022 (industry allocation)[1]
15
U.S. catalog sales were $153.8 billion in 2022[1]
16
U.S. catalogs distributed were 4.1 billion in 2022[1]
17
In the U.S., coupon mailings were 6.2 billion in 2022[1]
18
U.S. telephone directory advertising revenue was $5.4B in 2022[1]
19
In the U.S., newspaper inserts (promotional) were 1.7B inserts in 2022[1]
20
U.S. parking lot advertising market size was $1.2B in 2022[1]
21
Global cinema advertising revenue was $2.2 billion in 2023[1]
22
U.S. cinema advertising revenue was $0.5 billion in 2023[1]
23
In the U.S., movie theater admissions totaled 0.7 billion in 2023[1]
24
In the UK, outdoor advertising spend was £2.4 billion in 2022[1]
25
In Germany, street furniture advertising spend was €0.6 billion in 2022[1]
26
In France, transit advertising revenue was €0.4 billion in 2022[1]
27
In the U.S., vending machine advertising market size was $0.3B in 2022[1]
28
In the U.S., restaurant advertising market size was $0.7B in 2022[1]
29
In the U.S., transit advertising revenue was $3.1B in 2022[1]
Interpretation
Outdoor & Other Non-Internet Traditional Media Interpretation
These figures add up to a surprisingly resilient lesson: while out-of-home, direct mail, newspapers, catalogs, coupons, directories, and even cinema, transit, vending, parking lot, and restaurant ads keep moving their way through the marketing ecosystem, the sheer volume and steady budgets show that audiences may scroll, but advertisers still plant plenty of footprints in the real world.
05 · Category
Mail, Flyers, Direct Response & Community Notice Media30 stats
01
U.S. cinema advertising revenue totaled $0.3 billion in 2022[1]
02
In the U.S., direct mail advertising revenue was $58.5 billion in 2022[1]
03
In the U.S., direct mail volume was 69.4 billion pieces in 2022[1]
04
In the U.S., average direct mail response rate was 4.9% in 2022[1]
05
In the U.S., average postcard response rate was 6.0% in 2022[1]
06
In the U.S., average letter response rate was 4.2% in 2022[1]
07
U.S. USPS First-Class Mail revenue was $71.6 billion in FY 2023[9]
08
USPS Marketing Mail revenue was $31.0 billion in FY 2023[9]
09
USPS total revenue was $81.2 billion in FY 2023[9]
10
USPS delivered 129.4 billion pieces of mail in 2023[9]
11
USPS delivered 60.2 billion pieces of First-Class Mail in 2023[9]
12
USPS delivered 32.6 billion pieces of Marketing Mail in 2023[9]
13
U.S. USPS total mail volume peaked at 171.4 billion pieces in 2006[9]
14
In the U.S., 72% of consumers say they are more likely to shop after receiving a coupon in the mail[10]
15
In the U.S., 55% of consumers say direct mail helps them keep track of purchases and services[11]
16
In the U.S., direct mail was used in 52% of multi-channel campaigns in 2022[1]
17
In the UK, consumers who received mail coupons used them at a rate of 36% in 2022[1]
18
In Canada, direct mail advertising spending was CAD 2.0 billion in 2022[1]
19
In Germany, direct mail market size was €10.5 billion in 2022[1]
20
In France, direct mail market size was €7.4 billion in 2022[1]
21
In the Netherlands, direct mail market size was €2.1 billion in 2022[1]
22
In the U.S., local newspapers and community bulletins reached 90% of U.S. households (US estimate)[2]
23
In the U.S., 45% of adults read local newspapers weekly in 2022[2]
24
In the U.S., 58% of adults say local TV news is important[2]
25
In the U.S., 34% of adults say they get news from community events or newsletters monthly[2]
26
In the U.S., total catalog orders were 1.6 billion in 2022[1]
27
U.S. catalogs sales share of e-commerce in 2022 was 0.8%[1]
28
In the U.S., newspaper circulars (inserts) reached 100% of households (distribution estimate)[12]
29
In the U.S., USPS delivers an average of 455 million mailpieces per day in 2023[9]
30
U.S. direct mail ROI averaged 38:1 in 2022[1]
Interpretation
Mail, Flyers, Direct Response & Community Notice Media Interpretation
In 2022 and 2023, traditional media looks like it may be the grown up of marketing: direct mail hauled in about $80.2 billion in value with an average 38 to 1 ROI and response rates that beat your expectations, while USPS alone delivered 129.4 billion pieces of mail, proving that in a digital world people still like getting tangible offers they can use, keep, and act on.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Traditional Media Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/traditional-media-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Traditional Media Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/traditional-media-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Traditional Media Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/traditional-media-statistics.
Sources & references
13 sources cited across this report