ABC National Newspaper Round-Up – February 2003

The latest ABC figures for national newspaper circulation reveal a less than impressive period for the sector, which saw circulation decline by 1.4% year on year during February.

The threat of war with Iraq appears to have done little to boost circulation figures and readers appear to be tiring with the amount of coverage being devoted to the impending conflict. The Daily Mirror, with its tough anti-war stance and heavy involvement in the recent anti-war demonstrations, saw circulation slip by 1.4% year on year during February to 2,042,092. The Sun, under the editorship of Rebekah Wade (see New Sun Editor Says Job Is Best In Newspapers), also performed poorly, with circulation slipping by 1.7% year on year to 3,516,344.

Richard Desmond’s Daily Star, with its heavy emphasis on sport and celebrity news, was one of the only tabloid titles to experience any upward movement during February, with circulation increasing by 1% year on year to 843,325. However, the title’s recently launched Sunday sibling fared less well, with circulation dropping by 9.1% to 464,333.

Elsewhere, the Independent and the Independent On Sunday saw circulation rise by 0.3% and 0.6% respectively. The Observer managed a more significant 1.7% year on year increase and the Sunday Times saw circulation improve by 0.8% to 670,907.

The Financial Times saw the most notable increase in percentage terms, with circulation improving by 4.6% year on year during February to 451,799. However, it was not all good news for financial titles and The Business saw circulation decline by 6.3% to 90,290.

Quality Market

Things looked relatively bleak for the quality market in the six months to February, with the majority of titles seeing circulation decline year on year. The Business and The Observer were the only broadsheets to experience any upward movement, with circulation increasing by 39.1% and 1.1% respectively.

At the other end of the scale, the Independent On Sunday and The Financial Times were the worst hit. The former saw circulation decline by 7.1% year on year to 222,075 and the latter slipped by 6.7% to 451,902. The Times and the Sunday Telegraph also fared poorly, with circulation slipping by 5.5% and 5.4% respectively during February.

Mid-Market

The Daily Mail was the only mid-market title to see circulation decline in the six months to February. The Daily Mail & General Trust-owned title slipped by 1% year on year to just below the 2.5 million mark. At the other end of the scale, Richard Desmond’s Sunday Express saw circulation improve by 1.4% to 968,547.

Popular Market

The Daily Star continued its success in the popular market, with circulation increasing by 3.5% year on year in the six months to February. News International’s Sun also performed well, with new editor, Rebekah Wade, helping the title to seen circulation increase by 3.9% during the same period. The Daily Mirror and the People proved less fortunate, with circulation declining by 3.5% and 12.7% respectively. However, it was Sport First, which experienced the most notable decline in circulation, which was down by 52.7% year on year to 39,445.

Metro Titles

Associated Newspaper’s daily freesheet, Metro, had a relatively stable month during February. Overall circulation, across all regions, remained fairly static year on year at 830,432.

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