U.S. newspaper ad revenues were down 16 percent in the first half of 2008 – a fall of US$3 billion, with total online sales of $1.6 billion, paidContent reported.

Online revenues in the second quarter only were down 2.3 percent, or $776.6 million, according to the report on Thursday.

On the print side, classifieds dropped 35.2 percent, to $5 billion, while help wanted was down 36 percent in the first half, to under $1.3 billion, paidContent report. Real estate also continued its downward spiral, falling 35.5 percent, or $682.2 million.