[MediaMole]

No, the hotels got the papers for free, but the company claimed them as paid circulation.

[DoughtyOne]

I see. Thanks for the clarification.

[mtntop3]

The term describing this is “phantom circulation”. As noted on this thread, it is used to artificially raise the circulation numbers to attract, and hold, potential and current advertisers.

The issues in newsstands constitute the same. Most, except for the WSJ in certain areas, remain almost full if not full, by the next day—even at the interstate stops. They are still counted as circulation.

This is hardly an indication of increasing sophistication of the public: a large part of the public has stopped having any real interest in what ultimately affects them. Even college students/grads. Hardly a phenomena to rejoice about. Ergo, the election of Obama and the Democratic majority.