In 2023 the total circulation of all daily newspapers in Croatia amounted to just under 28 million sold copies, which was a 15 % decrease compared to 2022

The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) conducted its regular market investigation of the press publishing market in the Republic of Croatia in 2023 with the view to defining the market shares of undertakings operating in this market and maintaining a database focusing on the structure of this market. The market study covered 30 undertakings, including newspaper publishers and print distributors, that are entered into the Registry of Print Publishers and Distributors kept by the Croatian Chamber of the Economy in line with the Media Act.

The survey showed that in 2023 the circulation of all general-interest daily newspapers in Croatia was 28 million copies, while the circulation of all general-interest weekly newspapers was around 1.7 million copies. In 2023, compared to 2022, there was a more pronounced decline in the circulation of daily newspapers (15%) than in 2022 compared to 2021 (11%). This is also a continuation of a long-term trend of declining circulation and financial indicators in the market.

The circulation of weekly newspapers in 2023 recorded an 8% decrease compared to 2022, while the previous year (2022 compared to 2021) showed a 15% decline, indicating a less pronounced decrease. The revenue from advertising in general-interest daily newspapers in 2023 was just under 14.9 million euros, while the revenue from advertising in general-interest weekly newspapers in 2023 amounted to 4.1 million euros. The decline in the advertising market in general-interest daily newspapers was stopped, while there was a 12% revenue growth in the general-interest weekly newspaper market in 2023.

In 2023, the best-selling publication was the daily “24 sata,” published by 24sata d.o.o., while in the general-interest weekly newspaper market, there was a change at the top, with “Hrvatski tjednik” published by Tempus 22 d.o.o. becoming the leader in sales in 2023.

There have been some ownership changes in the publishers’ structure, particularly regarding the daily newspaper “Glas Istre” (previously published by Glas Istre Novine d.o.o.), whose publishing was taken over by Novi list d.d. in July 2023. Both publishers are members of the Glas Istre Group. Furthermore, on 1 December 2023, the CCA dimissed the notification of the proposed concentration between Media Solutions d.o.o., Osijek, and Novi List d.d., Rijeka, as it found that the criteria relating to financial thresholds under Article 17 paragraph 1 of the Competition Act were not met. This merger indirectly involves the company Glas Istre Novine d.o.o. Through this transaction the undertaking Media Solutions d.o.o. became the majority shareholder in Novi list d.d., which was previously held by Joj Media House a.s. from Slovakia.

In the print advertising market in 2023, there was an opposite trend of the revenue growth from advertising in general-interest weekly newspapers (12%) and stagnation in the advertising revenue in general-interest daily newspapers compared to 2022 (the declining trend was stopped).

Regarding the wholesale press market, Tisak plus was the only distributor in Croatia in 2023 and recorded a more pronounced decline in revenue compared to the previous survey for 2022. There was also a continued decline in the number of its customers in press distribution re-sale.

In the press retail market, there was a slight decline in total revenue from press retail in Croatia in 2023 compared to the previous year, 2022, by 5%, marking a shift to a negative trend in this market since the previous survey for 2022 recorded a slight revenue growth of 0.6% compared to 2021. Both Tisak plus and Inovine, as companies with the most specialized retail outlets, recorded revenue declines.

The publishers in the general-interest daily newspaper segment in 2023, being the most sold of all press, slightly increased their revenue from the press retail through direct sales (subscriptions and partly newspaper hawkers). This is a relatively significant share when considering all market segments in the distribution chain supplying end consumers with print media.

In 2023, certain newspaper publishers recorded increased revenue from press retail through subscriptions, including Večernji list d.d. with two dailies (“Večernji list” and “24sata”), Hanza Media d.o.o. with two dailies (“Jutarnji list” and “Slobodna Dalmacija”), and Novi list d.d. (Glas Istre Group).

Considering the general-interest weekly publishers, the highest press retail revenue through subscriptions was recorded by Nacional News Corporation (“Tjednik Nacional”), Lasica d.o.o. (weekly “Posavska Hrvatska”), and Varaždinske vijesti d.d. and Singar d.o.o. (“7dnevno”).

The sale on specialized newsstands remained dominant (52% in the structure of the surveyed companies, considering Tisak plus d.o.o., Inovine d.d., and Fibis d.o.o., with Tisak plus d.o.o. being the most significant).

Almost all surveyed publishers responded that there have been no legal and/or factual barriers to entry to press distribution market. However, two surveyed publishers mentioned the inability to sell print media through an additional sales channel provided by Hrvatska pošta d.d. (Croatian Post), which they believe would have positive effect on the sale, increasing it to the mutual satisfaction of the publishers and the Croatian Post.

One publisher noted that the complexity of the distribution operation, particularly the early morning delivery time, is a significant challenge in organizing and executing print distribution, especially considering Croatia’s geographically demanding landscape for distribution. Additionally, there are few legal entities that would be able to carry out this operation efficiently and cost-effectively.

The largest general-interest daily newspaper publishers, Hanza Media Group and Styria Group, with their publishers, recorded the highest number of electronic publications in 2023, as well as the highest advertising revenue.

In 2023, the highest advertising revenue from electronic publications was recorded by the general-interest daily newspaper publisher 24sata d.o.o., followed by Hanza Media d.o.o. and Večernji list d.o.o.