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Who buys a newspaper?

(163 Posts)
LaCrepescule Fri 15-May-26 04:32:41

Interested to know who buys a print copy or digital access to a newspaper. I’ve been relying on free digital access to the BBC and the Guardian but think it’s time I put my hand in my pocket (as if we’re.)

I love the idea of getting a paper delivered but it’s expensive compared to
digital access. But there really is something about reading the print copy of a newspaper.

Happygirl79 Sat 16-May-26 18:01:19

I read a selection of national newspapers every morning but on-line. I use the pressreader app which is available free of charge via the local council library. I can read any magazine or newspaper. I couldn't afford to buy all these in print.

M0nica Sun 17-May-26 08:51:19

I think future generations will be much less knowledgeaable and educated on a wide rangee of topics.

I can see now how any news feeds or other 'random' listings I go online will narrowly focuss on those subjects in which i have shown interest, where the joy and strength of the newspaper is it, literally brings to ones view all sorts of reports on events peripheral to ones main interests, that catche our attention and introduce new subjects to us.

I have been known to read an article on the sports page, because a headline caaught my eye as I was uickly leafing through the sports pages before folding the paper up and putting it aside.

sandye Sun 17-May-26 13:38:30

I buy one when on holidays if an English paper is available, that's the only time . Otherwise it's digital.

monami Sun 17-May-26 13:40:34

really

crazygranmda Sun 17-May-26 13:45:05

During Covid, we moved to Guardian online. Suits us just fine.

suelld Sun 17-May-26 13:45:29

I read newspapers online and subscribe to 2.
I can’t remember when I last bought a physical paper. When I did they tended not to get read much, just piled up til used for other purposes or recycled.
I like the ease of reading headlines online and going into depth of articles I want to read about, then if I want to read more I will google for various viewpoints, other info. One of my subscriptions is mainly for the daily puzzles tho I have to admit. Also my news addiction is now fully formed and I can spend hours reading various news…particularly re Trump and the US!

DrWatson Sun 17-May-26 13:45:30

Thx to the OP. As I've said several times on here, in answer to the 'bandwagon' (& years out of date) comments about the supposed influence of "right wing meeja", the Paper circulation figures have been dropping like an anchor for at least 20 years.

The most-read paper is now the Metro (and please DO let us know if you find much political ranting in there?!) and if you think publishers are really trying to change opinions, then please DO ALSO explain why the same group has the Mirror, Express & the Star under its banner?!

TanaMa Sun 17-May-26 13:45:48

My milkman delivers me a paper on Saturdays and Sundays, read on line for the rest of the weekdays.

wendyann23 Sun 17-May-26 13:50:19

Used to get a daily paper as my husband loved reading one. Stopped after he died. Now a friend gets a printed copy of the Telegraph every day and he has gifted me the digital version available through his subscription. I do enjoy reading it although not the same as a printed copy.

Lemonred Sun 17-May-26 13:50:20

We don’t, but devour the two free local ones we get delivered. My DH has the TV news on all flipping day! Hence me wearing noise cancelling headphones, and looking like a geriatric 90’s teenager, as I can’t stand it so wall-to-wall.

bayleaf253 Sun 17-May-26 13:53:43

We have one delivered everyday PLUS two digital subscriptions - encompassing the full political spectrum ! It definitely IS an indulgence - but one I would be reluctant to give up. I am frugal in many ways - but a morning coffee and the paper is one of the absolute pleasures of retirement. Low level - but lovely, to be savoured!

WoodLane7 Sun 17-May-26 13:54:03

We buy one on a Saturday as there is a TV mag as well, other than that I just read digital

Grantanow Sun 17-May-26 13:55:44

Guardian Monday to Saturday. It's slant is a bit boringly predictable but so is the Torygraph I read online.

Babsbada Sun 17-May-26 13:58:42

Used to get The Guardian daily but hot fed up with its editorial choices and stopped.it. Now get it at the weekend plus The Observer, mainly for John Crace, Jonathan Freedland and Eve Wisenan and Marina Hyde. Don't miss a daily paper and get all the information I need from BBC news and Newsnight.
News almost uniformly awful!

Neilspurgeon0 Sun 17-May-26 13:59:05

We are very lucky in that our public library allows us the use of PressReader, an on line app that allows a considerable number of British and International magazines and newspapers to be read each day. Personally I read The Guardian and our local paper every day and the Independent on Sundays. I also often read the American papers from time to time especially on days when Trump does something ludicrous. Strangely I seem to read more US papers this year than in 2024 !!!!

Nanny27 Sun 17-May-26 14:03:27

I used to have The Times delivered every weekday. I loved having it and enjoyed the cryptic crossword. Howeverni was less inclined to walk to the newsagents to pay the bill. One day I asked dh as he was passing to pay the papers for me. He came home less than happy that it had cost him almost £100. He cancelled the papers. 😏

moggiek Sun 17-May-26 14:03:40

Digital subscription to the Times.

Roxynounou Sun 17-May-26 14:03:45

I subscribe to INews online but still have the weekend version in hard copy. Lots of info, what's coming up, a very good TV guide..

Jane43 Sun 17-May-26 14:06:02

We have a neighbour who walks to the local shop every day to get a newspaper, rain, snow or shine, we haven’t bought a newspaper for years.

Alison333 Sun 17-May-26 14:08:14

We get a daily paper delivered by a specialist newspaper delivery company in southern England after our local newsagent stopped deliveries.

I love my Kindle and read stuff online, but there's just something about reading a paper newspaper!

Lolita Sun 17-May-26 14:22:18

Only on a Saturday!

grannybuy Sun 17-May-26 14:27:01

I buy the local paper a couple of times a week - for local news and the puzzles. Get national news from the tv, and on line.

Pilgrimandrew Sun 17-May-26 14:28:06

A lot of Grauniad readers here! I'll even things up a bit by saying that I subscribe to the Daily Telegraph on line. Not bought a hard, paper copy for several years

Susieq62 Sun 17-May-26 14:28:34

I buy The Guardian every Saturday from my local petrol station. It lasts me almost all week due to the magazine, sport, journal, food etc. As I volunteer at the local library I have access to i plus our local paper which is pretty basic so I would never buy it. I sometimes buy The Times but very rarely.

Seapebble Sun 17-May-26 14:32:33

Chocolatelovinggran

I buy a Saturday newspaper and read it through the weekend.
argymargy, the free newspaper given by Waitrose was The Telegraph.

No - argymargy was right. For about ten years Waitrose offered free newspapers (of your choice, from a selection) which included the Guardian and the Telegraph.