• by Michael Shields , September 7, 2004

The Association of Alternative Newsweeklies has launched a new Web portal, AltWeeklies.com, aggregating content from more than 125 alternative newsweeklies in North America. The site will be designed both as a resource for journalists, bloggers, and alternative news enthusiasts, but will also provide a mechanism for AAN members to purchase and receive syndicated content.

The site's launch represents the culmination of a continuously expanding marketplace for alternative news.

A decade ago, AAN membership claimed revenue of $260 million. This year, revenue has reached $600 million. Circulation growth has followed a similar pattern. Ten years ago, the AAN's total circulation was just over 5 million, and is now at 7.6 million.

"There are two kinds of newspapers growing it the U.S.: the alternative press and the Hispanic press," said Roxanne M. Cooper, AAN director of sales and marketing. "These are the only parts of the newspaper business that are growing as other papers are losing circulation."

AAN member newspapers, which reach a total of 17 million readers, include the L.A. Weekly, Phoenix New Times, Austin Chronicle, Creative Loafing Atlanta, Boston Phoenix, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the Village Voice.