New Delhi: The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has announced a significant achievement in its 85th annual report for 2023-24, revealing total advertising revenue of ₹16,472.40 crore for its member publications. This represents an impressive 10.6% increase from ₹14,892.34 crore in 2022.
The report indicates that accredited advertising agencies remain the dominant source of revenue for INS members. Furthermore, publications earned ₹2,782 crore from non-accredited agencies in 2023, a 6.75% rise from ₹2,612 crore the previous year. Direct advertising revenue also experienced notable growth, reaching around ₹2,835 crore—up 13.85% year-on-year.
Key contributors to this advertising revenue included the Railways, state governments, and public sector undertakings, which together accounted for ₹1,876 crore. State government advertising revenue saw a significant surge to ₹1,821.14 crore, marking an impressive 54.32% increase in 2023. Additionally, tender advertisements reached ₹635 crore, a 15.64% rise compared to the previous year.
Despite challenges in the media landscape, the print media industry in India continues to thrive. The report emphasizes that print remains a trusted and influential medium for a large segment of the population.
“With its linguistic diversity, print media connects with readers on a personal and cultural level. The continued demand for printed newspapers and magazines is driven by the public’s trust in print and the longstanding tradition of reading, which is deeply ingrained in Indian society,” the report stated.
However, the INS report also highlights several challenges confronting the industry, such as decreasing advertising revenue, rising production costs, the depreciation of the Indian rupee, and customs duties on newsprint. These issues create substantial obstacles and pressures for Indian publishers.
