Newspaper circulation in the U.S. is down 2.6 percent compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Audit Bureau of Circulations. 

The newspaper industry has seen a decline in print readership due to the increase of newspapers turning to online editions. Circulation figures are used to set advertising rates and benchmark the publication's prosperity.

Among the top 10 largest newspapers, the New York Times saw an increase of average weekly circulation of .5 percent.

"The circulation declines are not surprising.  We see this as further evidence the future of the newspaper industry is online," says Shawn Riegsecker, president, Centro. "Note that premium newspaper brands are the ones who lately have been investing the most in their digital assets, as well as diversifying their portfolios toward web-based properties. If paper circulations continue to decline, those who have not responded to this trend may be left behind."