Newspaper circulation figures released

By Johnny Diaz, Globe Staff

The nonprofit organization that measures newspaper circulation released figures today, using a new methodology that counts a broad spectrum of readers, including those who are reading some digital versions.

The Audit Bureau of Circulations reported that The Boston Globe’s average daily circulation was 205,939 in the six months that end Sept. 30. The paper’s Sunday circulation was 360,186.

Daily circulation at The Boston Herald was 113,798, while its Sunday circulation was 85,828.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts, the state’s third largest newspaper, the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, had an average daily circulation of 72,871 and a Sunday circulation of 83,237. Like The Boston Globe, The Telegram & Gazette is owned by The New York Times Co.

The Patriot Ledger had a daily circulation of 38,326 and its weekend circulation was 45,344. The Ledger prints a combined Saturday and Sunday edition.

In Rhode Island, the state’s largest paper, The Providence Journal, had a daily circulation of 90,085 and a Sunday circulation of 129,024.

Because circulation is counted differently than in the past, the audit bureau said,

the new figures cannot be compared to previous year’s reports. The audit bureau said the ability to compare the current figures to prior reporting periods will begin again with the March 2012 report.

Under the new methodology, total circulation is now divided into paid circulation for newspaper copies bought by the consumer and a new “verified circulation” category for copies bought by third parties such as college.

The new system does count electronic editions, and will break out readership figures for consumers who get their news using a paid website such as BostonGlobe.com.

Johnny Diaz can be reached at jodiaz@globe.com.