ABC National Newspaper Round-Up: November 2009

Daily Newspaper Market

November saw the daily newspaper market fall by 1.9% period on period and by 4.9% overall on the same period last year.

All titles in the daily sector reported period on period falls, however, the Daily Star managed to increase its circulation over the year.

Quality Daily Titles

In the quality sector, the Independent saw the smallest percentage fall, dipping by just 0.3% period on period to 186,500 copies.

The Times, meanwhile, was down by 1.5% in November, a real term loss of more than 8,500 readers.  Its total circulation now sits at 563,000 copies.

The Guardian reported a 2.1% period on period drop, which takes its total down to 305,000 copies from 312,000 copies in October.  The title also suffered a fairly substantial 14.8% year on year decline.

The Financial Times managed to retain a fairly healthy circulation of over 400,000 despite a 2.9% year on year fall.

The Daily Telegraph saw the highest percentage fall in the quality sector, dropping 3.1% period on period, but still has the highest circulation of the quality titles with a total of more than 744,000 copies.

Mid-Market Daily Titles

The Daily Mail‘s circulation only dipped by 0.4% in November.  With a total of more than 2.1 million copies, the title is the second highest selling newspaper in the daily market.

Meanwhile, the Daily Express reported a 1.8% period on period drop, which takes its total circulation down to 685,000 copies.

Popular Daily Titles

The Popular sector suffered the most in terms of percentage falls in November.

The Daily Record‘s total dropped by 4.8% period on period, and by a significant 10.7% year on year, leaving it with 323,000 copies.

The Daily Mirror, meanwhile, reported a 2.8% period on period and 10% year on year decline.  Its total now sits at 1.2 million copies – down from 1.4 million in November 2008.

The Sun still boasts the highest circulation of the daily market with a total of more than 2.9 million copies.  However, the red-top’s total has slipped below 3 million copies again after a 2.2% period on period fall.

The Daily Star was also down period on period – by 1.6% – but was the only title in the daily sector to record a year on year increase – up 15.3%.  The Star‘s total sits at more than 823,000 copies.

Sunday Newspaper Market

The overall Sunday newspaper sector suffered a 3.1% period on period circulation decline in November.

Only one of the Sunday titles, the Observer, managed to post a period on period increase.

Quality Sunday Titles

The Observer recorded a 1.6% period on period rise in November, an increase of more than 5,700 readers.  However, the title suffered a substantial 16.1% year on year decline.  Its total now sits at 372,600 copies.

The Sunday Times and Sunday Telegraph both witnessed a similar percentage decline of 1.8% and 1.9% respectively.  The Sunday Times retains its ‘quality crown’ with more than 1.1 million copies, while the Telegraph‘s total stands at 577,000 copies.

The Independent on Sunday‘s circulation only dipped by 0.2% in November, which leaves its total fairly static at 156,000 copies.

Mid-Market Sunday Titles

The Mail on Sunday still boasts an impressive circulation of more than 2 million copies despite posting a 2.1% period on period drop.

The Sunday Express, meanwhile, fell by 3.2% period on period – and by a significant 11.3% year on year – to below 600,000 copies.

Popular Sunday Titles

In line with the Daily titles, the Popular sector also suffered the biggest losses in terms of percentage declines.

The Sunday Mirror posted a 4.9% period on period fall, taking its total down to 1.1 million copies.

The News of the World was down by 4.6% in November, a real term loss of more than 141,000 copies.  The title’s circulation has now fallen below the 3 million copies mark, although it still remains the highest selling newspaper in the Sunday market.

Meanwhile, the People recorded a 3.3% period on period decline – and a significant 10.4% year on year drop – to below 534,000 copies.

The Daily Star Sunday was down 2.8% period on period but managed to increase its circulation over the year – up 2.1%.  Its total now stands at over 354,000 copies.