Final answer:
Newspaper circulation reached its peak in the 1950s and 60s and has been declining due to the rise of television and, later, the internet. The increasing number of women working outside the home in the 1970s also impacted readership. With younger generations turning away from television for news, the trend indicates a shift towards digital news consumption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The heyday of newspaper circulation was indeed in the 1950s and 60s, and the subsequent decline can be attributed to multiple factors, including the rise of television in the mid-twentieth century and later, the internet. As television became widely used, it began to compete with newspapers as a source of news, causing circulation to decrease. This trend continued into the 21st century as internet news sites and other forms of new media gained popularity. Moreover, the Pew Research Center reported a significant decline in 2009, with newspaper circulation dropping 10.6 percent from the previous year. This demonstrates a shift in how people access news, moving away from traditional print media.
In the 1970s, another contributing factor to the decline was the increasing number of women working full-time outside the home, which affected one of the core readership groups. Furthermore, data shows that by 1991, 55% of Americans got their news from print sources, but this number fell to 29% by 2012. Similarly, radio news consumption also declined. Despite these changes, television news has maintained a steady market share for some time. However, the emergence of a younger demographic that does not rely on television for news suggests that the future may see further shifts in how news is consumed, with digital platforms likely becoming even more dominant.
These trends point toward the need for traditional media outlets to adapt and find new ways to engage with audiences who are increasingly turning to digital platforms for their news consumption. The shift highlights the importance of understanding the interconnections and speed of adjustment in real markets, particularly as technology continues to evolve.