-ˌship noun
1.
a. : the quality or state of being a reader
subscribers and purchasers on most levels of readership — F.L.Mott
b. : the office, position, or profession of being a reader ; especially Britain : the position of a university teacher ranking lower than a professor
there are new chairs and readerships in almost every British university — M.M.Postan
2.
a. : the total mass of individuals actually reading or estimated to read something (as a book, magazine, newspaper, advertisement)
increasing the readership of a magazine
— distinguished from circulation 5
b. : a particular class of readers
will appeal to an intelligent readership