The Spanish newspaper market, which traditionally has a significantly lower public penetration than most other European nations, saw significant growth from 2003 to 2004, according to the latest statistics released by the Asociacion de Editores de Diarios Espanoles (AEDE). Some of this growth may have had to do with the 1,352 promotions that Spanish papers undertook, almost 200 more than the previous year.

Whereas circulations in many other European countries are falling, Spain has managed to increase its paid circulation, even in a market inundated with free papers. In 2003, 97 papers were sold per 1,000 people. In 2004 that number reached 104. In the other top 15 European markets, the number dropped from 196 to 193 over the same period.

Of the 139 papers in the country, 4,284,000 papers were sold daily in 2004, more than 100,000 more than in 2003. In the same year, newspaper revenues rose almost 40% to 296 million euros.

The President of the AEDE assured his colleagues that newspapers remain the "most influential" media with the "best credibility."

Source: El Pais (in Spanish)