That indefatigable recorder of the free newspaper phenomenon, Newspaper Innovation, reveals that free commuter papers have just had their worst ever year.
Distribution went up 2%, but that's the lowest rise in 13 years. In Europe, distribution went down by 3%, to 26.4m, during 2008, while the USA lost 14%. There were improvements in Asia (16%) and the Americas overall (7%).
Across the globe, 20 titles and 49 editions closed down in 2008, with Europe (11 titles, 37 editions) taking the lead. In the the US and Canada, nine titles (12 editions) were closed down.
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