Newspaper Readership in 2025: Who’s Still Reading Print?

Even with smartphones in every pocket, many people still grab a paper in the morning. Knowing who reads what helps editors, advertisers, and anyone curious about the media landscape. Below you’ll find the biggest numbers, why readers choose certain titles, and what’s changing fast.

Top Newspapers by Audience

According to the latest circulation reports, a few names dominate the market. The Sun and The Daily Mail keep the highest daily print numbers, while The Guardian leads in digital subscriptions. Financial Times holds a strong niche among business readers, and the Times still attracts a loyal, older audience that values long‑form analysis.

When you combine print and online visits, the picture shifts a bit. Google News UK, for example, drives a massive share of traffic to most papers, especially to breaking‑news sites like the Daily Express. The “most popular newspapers” list for 2025 shows that the top three titles each reach over 2 million unique readers weekly across all platforms.

What’s Shifting Reader Habits?

Two forces are reshaping how people consume news. First, the rise of mobile news apps means readers can skim headlines in under a minute. Second, subscription fatigue pushes many to look for free, ad‑supported content on social media. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter still break stories, but they also funnel traffic back to the original publishers.

Age matters, too. Millennials and Gen Z are more likely to read on phones, while baby boomers still prefer a paper in hand. However, even older readers are buying digital editions for the convenience of winter travel or when the paper runs out.

Another trend is the growing interest in niche topics. Readers are seeking out specialist publications—think tech‑focused dailies or regional newsletters that cover local council decisions. Those outlets often enjoy higher engagement per article because the content hits a specific need.

What does this mean for advertisers? Targeted ads on digital platforms are now the go‑to, but brands that sponsor a print insert still see a strong recall among older demographics. Mixing both channels gives the best reach across the audience spectrum.

In short, newspaper readership isn’t disappearing—it’s diversifying. Print still commands respect, especially for in‑depth reporting, while digital feeds the instant‑news appetite. Keeping an eye on both sides helps you understand where the next big story—and the next big audience—will emerge.