Israeli newspapers: Jerusalem post, Maariv, Haaretz
Israeli newspapers: Jerusalem post, Maariv, HaaretzYonatan Sindel/Flash90

The weekly BeSheva newspaper, an Arutz Sheva-associated publication distributed free around the country, has become the third-largest weekly journal in Israel. So reports the TGI (Target Group Index) consumers-and-media analysis organization. 

BeSheva, a religious-Zionist publication, jumped to 7.3% in the second half of 2014 – up from 4.8% in 2013. With this, it surpassed HaAretz, which reached only a 7% weekend exposure rate. Makor Rishon remained constant at 3.1%. 

Popular contributors to BeSheva include editor Emanuel Shilo, Rabbi Eliezer Melamed (Rabbi of Har Brachah and the Hesder Yeshiva there), Emanuel Ungar, and others. The annual Jerusalem Conference sponsored by BeSheva will be held for the 12th consecutive year in late February at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Yediot Acharonot and Yisrael HaYom (also a freebie) continue to be the country's largest weekend newspapers, although the former's lead dropped slightly in 2014. On weekdays, Yisrael HaYom is in first place, having risen 4% to a 39.3% national exposure rate, while Yediot dropped to second place with 34.9%, 7% less than the year before.

BeSheva's Director-General Dudu Saada sent a message of congratulations to the paper's staff on the achievement on becoming the country's third-largest weekend newspaper. "After contacting our newsprint supplier, our printer, and our distributor, I want to thank you, dear workers, each and every one of you, for your contribution to our newspaper. You give your heart and soul for BeSheva's success, because you see it as your ideological home, one of values and warmth. You are responsible for 100,000 copies each week, and we are very proud of you."

TGI also found that the three most listened-to radio stations in Israel during 2014 were Galgalatz – Army Radio's station for drivers, Reshet Bet of Voice of Israel, and Army Radio.