Daily Sun (South Africa) Explained

Daily Sun
Type:Daily newspaper
Format:Print and Online
Owners:Media24
Publisher:Media24
Chiefeditor:Amos Mananyetso
Language:English
Headquarters:Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Sister Newspapers:Sunday Sun

The Daily Sun is a tabloid daily newspaper in South Africa.[1] It has a circulation of more than 28,006 copies making it the second largest daily newspaper in the country to the Sunday Times in terms of largest circulation among all papers.[2]

The newspaper is based in Randburg, Johannesburg, but is printed countrywide. It targets readers in and around the major urban centres. These readers are predominantly black, English-literate with high-school or further education, and working-class earners – the economic core of South Africa.[3]

In addition to its print publication, the Daily Sun has also transitioned to digital, with a monthly pageview count of 4.7 million and an active user base of 3 million in 2023.

History

The Daily Sun was launched on 1 July 2002 by Media24, a division of the Naspers group. It was the brainchild of veteran journalist, Deon du Plessis, who remained its publisher and minority shareholder until 11 September 2011, when he died suddenly at his Johannesburg home.[4] The newspaper has been overseen by editor Amos Mananyetso since 2022.[5]

In June 2024, Moneyweb reported the newspaper would cease print in October.[6] Media24 declined to comment.[7] A month later Media24 announced it will suspend the planned closure until the Competition Commission approves of its plan to sell newspaper distribution company On-The-Dot to Novus, which was the reason behind the paper's planned shuttering.[8]

Supplements

Distribution areas

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20082013
Eastern CapeYY
Free StateYY
GautengYY
Kwa-Zulu NatalYY
LimpopoYY
MpumalangaYY
North WestYY
Northern CapeYY
Western CapeYY

Distribution figures

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Net Sales
Jan – Mar 2015265 993[10]
Jan – Mar 2014283 216
Oct – Dec 2012322 324
Jul – Sep 2012336 319
Apr – Jun 2012348 265
Jan – Mar 2012375 185

Readership figures

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AIR
Jan 2012 – Dec 20125 554 000
Jul 2011 – Jun 20125 669 000

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Tabloid Journalism in South Africa. Indiana University Press. en. 2018-07-18.
  2. Web site: SA's media: The old is dying, the new is struggling to be born – NEWS & ANALYSIS Politicsweb. politicsweb.co.za. en. 2018-07-18.
  3. Web site: Daily Sun Advertising Site . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120902011731/http://www.dailysunads.co.za/dailysun/readership.htm . 2 September 2012 . 3 July 2013.
  4. Web site: September 11, 2011 . Respected newsman Deon du Plessis dies . 2024-06-13 . News24 . en-US.
  5. Web site: June 13, 2024 . Meet our new editor, Amos! . 2024-06-13 . Daily Sun . en-US.
  6. Web site: Maggs . Jeremy . June 13, 2024 . End of an era: Media24 to close iconic newspapers . June 13, 2024 . Moneyweb.
  7. Web site: Cronje . Jan . June 13, 2024 . Media24 'continuously reviews operations', won't comment on report about newspaper closures . 2024-06-13 . News24 . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2024-07-11 . Media 24 agrees to suspend newspaper closures . 2024-07-14 . The Witness . en-US.
  9. Web site: Daily Sun Website . 13 June 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130425041522/https://www.snl24.com/dailysun . 25 April 2013 .
  10. Web site: ABC Analysis Q1 2015: The biggest-circulating newspapers in South Africa •. 8 May 2015.