The Otago Daily Times’ commitment to strong public interest journalism is paying handsome dividends.
The newspaper has recorded a 17.6% increase in readership in the latest Nielsen results, released recently.
The ODT’s average daily readership is 107,000, an increase of 16,000 people a day on the corresponding period last year, according to Nielsen.
"That’s encouraging at a time when we could do with some good news. It has been a tough year but, of course, a big year for news," Allied Press editor-in-chief Barry Stewart said.
"The impacts of Covid-19 have only highlighted the need and value of quality, independent and trusted local journalism.
"We delivered and our readers have supported us. The growing engagement we have with our readers is built on some pretty solid foundations — almost 160 years’ serving our community. The ODT is firmly established as the leading media outlet in the South. Our online readership continues to grow — consistently reaching two million page views a week — and is up 24% on the previous year."
Allied Press chief executive Grant McKenzie was delighted with the result.
"Our brand is firmly established as independent, trusted and balanced, and that’s not a bad platform to build on.
"They are impressive and encouraging numbers and are a credit to our dedicated staff. We value the support of our readers and advertisers and will continue to produce compelling and relevant content.
"I’m particularly pleased with our penetration in the Dunedin market. We reached almost 50% of readers aged 15 and over in the metropolitan market, while The Star community newspaper attracted 11,000 more readers aged over 15 from the previous year.
"There is no doubt we have the South covered."
