National Newspaper ABC Round-Up – August 1998

Circulation across the broadsheets was down by 2.1% to to 5.6 million copies – a loss of just under 120,000 copies for March-August 1998. Only the Financial Times and News International’s (NI) Times and Sunday Times showed improvements in circulation.

The Sunday Telegraph suffered the greatest loss in terms of copies. The greatest increase in the quality market was once again achieved by the Financial Times; circulation was up by 13%. Looking year on year, the Independent is continuing to lose copy sales; compared with July, however, circulation at the Indy has remained steady.

Year on year, the four mid-market national papers show the same story as with previous months: the Mail titles on the increase; the Express titles in decline. Gains made by Associated Newspapers’ Mail titles must pretty much mirror losses at UNM’s Express papers as the overall mid market has held steady at 6.7 million copies.

The popular market’s decline continues with this set of ABCs, and whilst overall it has dropped only 5.3% (827,000 copies), none of the popular newspapers has improved circulation on this time last year. Month on month, however, is a different story. Between July and August all of the populars increased sales.

The biggest loss was suffered by the Sunday Mirror. The Daily Star, the smallest seller in the popular market, continues to lose circulation, down 10% for this period.

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