ABC National Newspaper Round-Up – June 2002

The latest figures on national newspaper circulation, released by ABC, show that overall the market did not see a great change in the number of copies sold, showing that the timing of World Cup matches in June did not work in newspapers’ favours. More titles lost ground than gained it during June compared to May.

The largest loss in percentage terms was once again seen at Sport First (Sunday), where 10,562 was lost from average bulk sales month on month, representing a 19.5% fall. In contrast the largest gain in percentage terms was at another sports tabloid, the Racing Post, which saw a 3% increase in sales month on month.

In real terms the Sun saw the biggest gain in the number of copies sold, adding 65,647 to its circulation. The Sun has continued to sell for the reduced price of 20p after the Mirror, which initiated the price war, partially backed down (see Mirror Brings Partial End To Price Cut).

Quality Market

Overall, the quality newspaper market remained static in a year on year analysis. However, within this, the most exceptional performance in terms of percentage change was at The Business, whose re-marketing has produced a 55% increase in sales for the Jan-Jun period year on year, and now circulates around the 86,000 mark.

The largest decrease in percentage terms was at the Independent on Sunday, which slid 7.3% year on year to just over 230,000, although its daily sister managed to hold on to its own circulation of 225,000. The largest loss of circulation in real terms was at another Sunday title, the Sunday Telegraph, which saw its circulation shrink by 31,042 year on year.

Mid Market

The mid market had a tough time period on period, according to January to June figures. Overall the market fell 1.6%, with all titles seeing circulation slip.

The worst hit was the Sunday Express, which saw a 5.6% drop representing over 50,000 copies. However, rival mid market Sunday, the Mail on Sunday, also dropped over 10,000 from its circulation, representing a fall of 0.3%.

Popular Market

The January to June period saw a 1.9% year on year fall in total circulation for the popular market, with only two titles, the Daily Star and the Racing Post seeing year on year increases.

The worst fall in percentage terms was at Sport First, which saw a year on year fall of 21.8% compared to the same period last year, while the largest drop in actual terms was in the circulation of the Sunday People which shed 78,000, closely followed by the Sunday Mirror, which dropped 71,000.

The main exception to the downward trend was the Daily Star, which continues to perform well, seeing a 12.9% year on year increase in circulation, which means it now sells comfortably above the 650,000 mark.

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