Originally published in Arutz Sheva, translated by Hillel Fendel
The weekly BeSheva newspaper, a weekly Arutz Sheva publication (under the auspices of Bet El Institutions) distributed for free throughout Israel, has cemented its position as the country's 3rd-largest weekly journal. It registered nearly a 2% jump in readership in 2021, according to the TGI (Target Group Index) consumers-and-media analysis organization.
BeSheva, a religious-Zionist publication, now stands at 7% of the weekend readership, up from 5.3% last year. Behind it is HaAretz, which reached only 5.7% of weekend readers. In 5th and 6th places are Maariv and Makor Rishon, respectively.
The annual Jerusalem Conference sponsored by BeSheva is currently underway, for the 19th consecutive year, at the Vera (formerly the Crowne Plaza) Hotel in Jerusalem.
Israel Hayom (also a freebie) and Yediot Acharonot continue to be the country's largest weekend newspapers. Both far surpassed their Corona year 2020 levels, with Israel Hayom rising from 24.8% to 31.9% last year, and Yediot rising less impressively, from 27.1% to 29.8%.
Popular contributors to BeSheva include editor Emanuel Shilo, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Rabbi of Har Bracha and the Hesder Yeshiva there), Ze'ev Kam, Hagit Rosenbaum, Nitzan Kedar, and others.
Overall exposure to weekday newspapers in Israel grew to 44.3% in 2021, and 51.8% on weekends, compared to 37.8% and 44.9%, respectively, in 2020. The most widely-read newspaper in the country is right-leaning Israel Hayom, with a 31% exposure rate, followed by Yediot Acharonot, at 23.9%.
BeSheva's Director-General Dudu Saada said, "Our success is the result of the professional work of dozens of people, headed by our long-time editor Emanuel Shilo and Deputy Director Dudi Finkler. They work night and day to bring the most interesting and quality content to our readers, who see BeSheva as the home of the religious public in Israel. We distribute some 100,000 copies every week around the country, an increase in recent years in response to the demand."
Shilo said, "We are happy and proud with our 7% rate of readership this past year. Despite the Corona-period belt-tightening, we were able this year to increase our staff with additional quality writers. And thanks also to our design staff! … Thanks as well to the management staff directed by Dudu Saada and Dudi Finkler, who captain our ship surely and safely even over uncertain and shaky economic waters. Next year, as well, with G-d's help, we will work to continuously improve our newspaper and provide our loyal readers with a quality return on the time and attention they invest in our work."