ABC Regional Newspapers: Jan-Jun 2010

Yesterday’s ABC release paints a fairly dire picture for the regional newspaper market, with all but two newspaper groups in our top ten posting declines.

However, some individual titles fared better and all credit to MK News, which enjoyed a substantial increase.

This period has seen 48 closures and 29 mergers within the regional newspaper market.

Regional Newspaper Groups

• Midland News Association Group was the only group in the top ten to post a percentage increase, up 2% period on period.
• Chronicle Newspapers Group remained static during the six month period with no percentage change.
• Archant London Group, North East Press Ltd and Echo Newspapers Free Newspaper Group suffered the largest falls.
• Despite some hefty circulation declines, there has been no change in the order of the top ten, with Northcliffe Media Group – Free titles leading the way with a total circulation of just less than 1.9 million.

Regional Newspaper Titles

• Nottingham & Long Eaton Topper is still the highest-selling regional newspaper in our analysis with a total circulation of 212,000 copies.
• Five regional titles in our top ten posted increases during the six month period.
• MK News outperformed the rest of the market with an impressive 29.6% rise.
• Edinburgh Herald & Post suffered the highest percentage fall, down 25.9%.
• Manchester Evening News has reported again for the first time since 2008.  This is its first reporting period under the title’s new owner Trinity Mirror.
• The last time Manchester Evening News reported (July to December 2008) it had a total circulation of 154,000 copies.  Now it has a lower total of 97,000.  However, 68% of its circulation is paid-for now, whereas just 47% of its total was paid-for under previous owner Guardian Media Group.