Due to a highly competitive market and a recession, Spanish free dailies are down 20 percent in circulation over the past year, from 3.9 million in September 2007, to 3.3 million last month, 24/7 reported Monday.

20 Minutos distributed 815,600 copies in September, a 39 percent drop.

DNA's circulation dropped 30 percent, while Metro and Qué! each saw circulation decline 6 percent, 24/7 reported.

To alleviate the advertising crisis, circulation has been cut to save on paper, according to 24/7.