Several newspaper networks surpassed Google News in netting more "unique" traffic in May, according to new data from Nielsen Online.
NYTimes.com stood out with 21.3 million unique visitors -- more than Google News' 11.3 million monthly visitors. Tribune Newspapers and Gannett Newspapers, taken as groups, beat the online behemoth as well.
Yahoo News was the number one current events and global news destination in May with a unique audience of 35.8 million.
The Huffington Post also made the list with 4.7 million uniques edging out the Associated Press at 4.5 million. The Huffington Post's traffic increased the most out of the top 30 sites on the list, surging 255% in May 2008 compared to the same month a year ago. The AP's traffic declined the most out of the top 30 sites: year-over-year traffic fell 45% in May.
The Drudge Report did not make the top 30, coming in at #39 in May.
USAToday.com made the top 30 list as the tenth most visited current events site in May. Washingtonpost.com placed thirteenth followed by McClatchy Newspapers and Hearst Newspapers.
Belo's television Web site network claims more monthly unique users in May -- at 5.3 million uniques -- than its newspaper network at 4.4 million. Although its newspaper network grew more year-over-year in May, up 85% compared to Belo's TV network, up 62%.
Below is a list of the top 30 current events and global news destination Web sites for May 2008 provided by Nielsen (owned by E&P's parent company). The traffic is based on U.S. home and work useage. Please note that traffic can vary month to month based on several factors including news events.
Top 30 Online Current Events & Global News Destinations, May 2008
Brand or Channel -- May '08 Unique Audience (000) -- May '07 Unique Audience (000)
Yahoo! News -- 35,846 -- 30,451
MSNBC Digital Network -- 35,184 -- 28,347
CNN Digital Network -- 33,101 -- 29,094
AOL News -- 22,524 -- 17,444
NYTimes.com -- 21,340 -- 12,775
Tribune Newspapers -- 16,238 -- 13,300
Gannett Newspapers and Newspaper Division -- 14,629 -- 12,645
Google News -- 11,356 -- 9,359
ABCNEWS Digital Network -- 11,124 -- 10,211
USATODAY.com -- 10,785 -- 9,528
Fox News Digital Network -- 10,132 -- 7,594
CBS News Digital Network -- 9,225 -- 8,620
washingtonpost.com -- 9,204 -- 8,613
McClatchy Newspaper Network -- 9,131 -- 9,885
Hearst Newspapers Digital -- 7,955 -- 8,380
WorldNow -- 7,523 -- 6,232
MediaNews Group Newspapers -- 6,965 -- 6,189
Slate -- 6,456 -- 3,856
Advance Internet -- 6,202 -- 6,006
IB Websites -- 5,943 -- 5,203
BBC News -- 5,933 -- 6,554
Cox Newspapers -- 5,826 -- 3,949
Belo Television -- 5,354 -- 3,301
Topix -- 5,133 -- 4,411
Boston.com -- 4,962 -- 4,038
Gannett Broadcasting -- 4,735 -- 3,030
TheHuffingtonPost.com -- 4,715 -- 1,327
Associated Press -- 4,527 -- 8,191
Belo Newspapers -- 4,462 -- 2,417
Fox Television Stations -- 4,386 -- 3,451