Continued decline in circulation of general-interest daily and weekly newspapers in 2025

The Croatian Competition Agency (CCA) carried out a regular market survey of the press market in the Republic of Croatia in 2025, with the aim of determining the structure of that market. The survey covered 29 undertakings, of which 24 were newspaper publishers of general-interest daily and weekly newspapers, and five were press distributors and specialised retail traders in press products.

The results of the survey showed that in 2025, the total sold circulation of all general-interest daily newspapers in the Republic of Croatia amounted to 20.8 million copies, while the sold circulation of general-interest weekly newspapers amounted to approximately 1.4 million copies.

Compared with 2024, the sold circulation of general-interest daily newspapers decreased by 14%, continuing a multi-year downward trend. The sold circulation of general-interest weekly newspapers decreased by 17%, indicating a more pronounced decline in this segment of the market.

In the market for general-interest daily newspapers, the best-selling publication in 2025 was “24sata”, published by 24sata d.o.o., while in the market for general-interest weekly newspapers the best-selling title was “Hrvatski tjednik”, published by Tempus 22 d.o.o.

Advertising revenues of publishers in general-interest daily newspapers amounted to just under EUR 14.5 million in 2025, representing a slight decrease of 2% compared with 2024. Advertising revenues in general-interest weekly newspapers amounted to EUR 4.2 million, a decrease of 8% compared with the previous year.

No ownership changes among publishers or entry of new publishers of daily or weekly newspapers were recorded in 2025. A notable development was the cessation of publication of the biweekly magazine “Globus”, with its final issue published on 24 December 2025.

In the wholesale distribution and trade of press products, significant organisational and regulatory changes were recorded. Following the designation of press distribution in the Republic of Croatia as a service of general economic interest, as of 1 July 2025, logistics activities in press distribution have been carried out by HP – Croatian Post d.d., while DTM d.o.o. continues to perform circulation tracking, commission-based sales of press products, and settlement/clearing with customers and publishers.

Compared with 2024, wholesale press trade revenue decreased by 7%, alongside a continued decline in the number of customers in press distribution for resale.

In the retail press market in 2025, total revenues remained broadly unchanged compared with 2024. iNovine d.d. recorded a slight increase in revenue, while Tisak plus d.o.o., as the largest kiosk retail chain, recorded a slight decline.

The largest publishers of general-interest daily newspapers, Hanza Media Group and Styria Group, also continued to generate the highest advertising revenues from electronic publications in 2025. The highest advertising revenues in electronic publications were achieved by 24sata d.o.o., Hanza Media d.o.o., and Večernji list d.o.o.

With regard to legal and/or factual barriers to access to press sales channels, almost all surveyed publishers stated that such barriers do not exist. However, some publishers identified increased distribution costs, changes in fee collection models, and a reduction in the number of sales points as aggravating factors.

CCA further notes that during the course of the survey in 2026, a new legal framework in the field of media services entered into force, which is relevant for future activities and the maintenance of appropriate databases on newspaper publishers and press distributors.

A more detailed overview of the press market in the Republic of Croatia in 2025 in the Croatian language is available here