From a new prime minister to the mourning of the monarch and the economic chaos unleashed by the ‘mini-budget’, September’s headlines saw record audiences and engagement in digital news brands
According to the latest figures available from Ipsos iris monthly data, last month saw each reader spending an average of 137 minutes with online news brands, the highest monthly average of the year up to the end of September.
Furthermore, the period around the Queen’s death generated huge interest as millions followed the very latest news on her declining health, the subsequent funeral and the accession of the new King to the throne.
When ranking all days in 2022 up to 30 September by audience figures, eight of the top 10 days fall in the period between the Queen’s death and her funeral.
The day of the Queen’s death (8 September) saw the highest audience numbers this year, up 26% on the average for 2022 up to the end of September. It also saw the highest number of page views in a single day, with an uplift of 43%.
Meanwhile, the next day’s coverage of Her Majesty’s life and legacy as well as what to expect from Charles III’s reign registered the highest number of minutes viewed in a single day, up 38% compared to the average day in 2022 up to the end of September.
News brands provided readers with up-to-date information and analysis throughout the mourning period and the recent political and economic turmoil, with extensive coverage online, across social channels and in print.
© Ipsos, Ipsos iris Online Audience Measurement Service, 1st January 2022 – 30th September 2022, National News Brands*, all adults age: 15+, UK
* Dailymail.co.uk, theguardian.com, mirror.co.uk, independent.co.uk, thesun.co.uk, telegraph.co.uk, express.co.uk, thetimes.co.uk, metro.co.uk, dailystar.co.uk, standard.co.uk & inews.co.uk
