Free tool · Newspaper
Newspaper valuation calculator
Estimate what your daily or weekly newspaper is worth using EBITDA multiples and per-subscriber circulation value.
How to value a newspaper
- 1
Pick your business type
Select newspaper, magazine, B2B publisher, newsletter, or YouTube channel. Each type uses a different primary method and different benchmark ranges.
- 2
Enter financials and audience
Revenue, adjusted EBITDA, subscriber or audience count, and ARPU. The tool won't invent numbers you don't provide.
- 3
Answer the seven value drivers
Recurring mix, audience ownership, IP depth, margin quality, key-person risk, advertiser concentration, and growth. Each nudges the multiple within its band.
- 4
Read your valuation range
You get a blended low-to-high range across three methods, plus a mid-point. Below that, the method-by-method breakdown shows exactly how each number was built.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I value a newspaper business?
- Two methods. EBITDA multiples of 3.0–6.0x (Dirks Van Essen puts the typical range at 4–5x, with strong-digital properties reaching 6–8x) plus per-subscriber circulation value of $100–$500 per paid subscriber. The per-subscriber method is how buyers underwrite deals when EBITDA is negative or noisy.
- How much is my newspaper worth?
- It depends on digital-subscription growth, ad concentration, and margin quality. A community weekly with $2M revenue, $300k EBITDA, and 5,000 paid subscribers might value at $900k–$1.8M on EBITDA and $500k–$2.5M on per-subscriber value — a working range of roughly $1M–$2M.
- What about declining print-only newspapers?
- Poynter's coverage of recent print transactions notes that distressed papers with negative earnings often trade at 1–2x projected post-restructuring operating profit, not on trailing EBITDA. The per-subscriber method is the second anchor when the EBITDA read is unreliable.
- How accurate is this valuation calculator?
- Ranges are grounded in published industry benchmarks (gomerge, Fulcrum, and Poynter) and are meant as a preliminary estimate — not a formal appraisal. Real transactions depend on buyer strategy, deal structure, and comparable-sale timing. Treat this as a starting point for a conversation with an M&A advisor.
- What's the difference between EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA?
- Adjusted EBITDA adds back owner compensation above market rate, one-time expenses, and non-recurring items. For owner-operated media businesses, this is usually higher than reported EBITDA — sometimes materially. Use adjusted EBITDA in this calculator.
- Why two methods instead of one?
- Different buyers weight different methods. Strategic acquirers usually anchor on EBITDA. Financial buyers, roll-up players, and creator-market operators cross-check against the alternative — ARR for B2B, per-subscriber for newspapers and newsletters, revenue multiple for magazines and YouTube. Showing both is how buyers actually triangulate.
- Do I need to enter every field?
- No. Any field left at zero drops the corresponding method from the blend. At minimum, enter revenue and either EBITDA or subscriber count with ARPU. The tool won't invent numbers you didn't provide.
- Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
- Your inputs are stored in your browser's local storage so the calculator remembers them if you refresh. Nothing is sent to Pelcro or a third party unless you submit the email form to request the full breakdown.
This calculator is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, tax, or M&A advice. Ranges are based on published industry benchmarks (gomerge, Fulcrum, Poynter), not live comparable-sale data. Consult a qualified M&A advisor before making decisions.