Press Round-Up – March

Qualities

Among the quality titles, the Times recorded the highest increase in its monthly ABC year on year, up 34.2% to 631,638, the effects of the price war still seemingly apparent, with its second highest monthly figure ever. Circulation seems to be steady, up by 0.2% on February’s figure; its six-monthly ABC was up 36.3%.

The Daily Telegraph also recorded a substantial increase year on year in its monthly figure up to 1,061,230, an increase of 6.1%. This was up 0.3% on February, and its six-monthly figure was up 4.7%.

The Independent had a better month in March, with its monthly circulation up 4.9% year on year to 290,360. This was a slight increase on February, but a decrease of 4.4% year on year in its 6-monthly figure. The Financial Times had a better month than February, up 5.1% to 305,928. This was an increase of 0.6% year on year. The Guardian dropped circulation slightly year on year, down 0.5%. The Financial Times is the only quality to have sold any significant number of copies at a lesser rate, 2.5% or 1,501 copies, but the FT, the Daily Telegraph and the Independent all had 1.8% of their March circulation as multiple copies.

Among the quality Sundays the Telegraph fared by far the best in terms of circulation, up 14.4% in its monthly figure, year on year, and up 9% in its 6-monthly figure. However, only 69.2% of the Telegraph’s circulation was sold at the full rate. The Sunday Times also fared well, up 1.3% year on year in its monthly figure, and up 3.8% in its 6-monthly. The Independent on Sunday although it lost circulation year on year for both its monthly and 6-monthly titles did increase on February’s total by 2.9%.

Mid-Markets

Among the mid-market dailies, the monthly figures show that across the board there was a decrease in circulation year on year, the Express down most, by 7.1% to 1,292,944. Today, as was the case last month, seems to be losing the extra circulation it had recently built up; it lost 4.7% year on year and 5.8% on last month’s figure, down to 549,459.

Both the Mail and Express recorded increases on last month; the Mail up 2.5% and the Express up 1.5%. The Standard also increased circulation, up 1.9% on February. The Express sold 10.1% of its copies at a lesser rate, and 3.3% were multiple copies; the Mail sold 4.3% at a lesser rate – a consistent pattern with February. Circulation among the Sundays was also down year on year, with the Express’ 6-monthly figure down 11% and the monthly figure down 7.8% to 1,446,248. The Mail on Sunday lost 0.2% in its 6-monthly figure and 4.8% in its monthly. Compared to February, the Sunday Express had a better month, up 2.5%.

Populars

Among the populars, the Sun fared by far the best again, despite its gradual increase in cover price. Monthly circulation was up by 2.9% year on year and 0.2% on February to 4,134,571. The Mirror and the Star did not fare so well, the Mirror lost 0.9% year on year in its monthly figure, the Star lost 1.9%. Compared to February the Star also decreased circulation, down 1.7%. Both papers also recorded decreases in their 6-monthly figures.

Among the Sunday populars, the Sunday Sport continues its massive circulation increases, up 18.9% year on year in its monthly figure, and up 33.6% in its 6-monthly. It was down slightly on February however. The People also fared well, up 2.6% in its monthly figure year on year, and increased 4.4% in its 6-monthly figure. The Sunday Mirror fared worst, its monthly figure down 3.8% year on year; and its 6-monthly figure down 1%.

The Sun and the Daily Mirror were the only papers among the popular market to sell any significant percentage of copies at a lesser rate; 4.1% and 5.1% respectively.