The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) said that in the six months to March 31, some 14.2 per cent of newspapers were read as digital editions, including smartphone and tablet computer versions. That marked a huge leap from a year ago when 8.66 per cent were digital editions.

The figures offer the first year-over-year comparison of newspaper circulation using a new system that aims to more accurately measure digital readership. Under this system, the New York Times showed a 73 per cent surge in circulation to 1.58 million, with digital readership of 8,07,026 overtaking print circulation of 7,79,731. The Times, in a bid to boost online revenue, recently began charging readers for full access to the newspaper's website.