Computer Magazines See Ad Revenue Slide

The latest ABC figures for July to December 2002 period reflected a less than impressive period for computer magazines, with the majority seeing circulation decline as the technology downturn continues to bite (see ABC Jul-Dec 2002: Gaming Titles Boosted By PlayStation 2). Figures from Nielsen Media Research also bring bad new to the sector, with display ad revenue falling across the board.

The biggest actual fall in terms of ad revenue was experienced by Dennis Publishing’s Computer Shopper, which slipped by almost £1.7 million year on year to just under £5.2 million. The title also experienced a substantial decline in circulation, with ABC results for the six months to December 2002 revealing a 13.7% year on year decline to 110,035.

Dennis Publishing’s PC Pro also experienced a notable decline in ad revenues, which fell 20.3% year on year to just over £5.7 million. ABC circulation figures for the July to December 2002 period also brought bad news to market leading title, which saw circulation drop by 9.6% year on year to 121,189.

Crimson publishing also felt the brunt of the technology downturn and What Laptop And Handheld PC, experiencing a largest percentage drop than PC Pro, with a 27% year on year decrease in ad revenues, which fell to £814,865.

Paragon Publishing’s PC Home experienced the largest percentage drop in ad revenue, which fell £126,803 to £152,799. ABC results for the six months ending December 2002 also brought bad news to the title, which declined 26.7% year on year to 14,224.

However, Dennis Publishing’s MacUser appeared to get-off relatively lightly, with the sector’s smallest percentage decline in ad revenue, which fell by 6.3% to just under £4.8 million.