[Dont Mention the War]

I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last week, and the newspaper was dropped at the door every morning. There was a note that said they'd drop 8 cents a night if you didn't want the paper, which tells me what they're paying per copy. I'd bet well over 50% of USA Today's circulation is to travellers who get it gratis. They're also frequently in restaurants, free for reading to patrons.

Not quite 50%, but close. I looked it up; 46% of USA Today's circulation is from "bulk sales", as of 2003. According to the circulation auditors, "In bulk sales, we included all papers listed outside of individually paid circulation, which includes hotel sales, educational copies and third party sales to such business as airlines and restaurants."

[Richard Kimball]

Thanks for the info. I'm surprised that many people pay for it.