Four more newspapers set to up cover prices

An extra four national newspapers are expected to raise their cover prices this month, in a bid to battle it out with each other and beat the credit crunch.

Following ABC’s disappointing December release, which saw all the national newspaper’s – bar one title – report circulation declines, newspapers are being forced to increase their price in order to counter falling circulation figures and drops in ad revenue, according to reports.

Guardian News & Media’s Guardian and Observer titles are both set to increase their cover prices by 10p, to 90p and £2 respectively.

The price increases, which will take place on January 18 and 19, will make the Observer one of the most expensive paper’s in the Sunday sector, on a par with the Sunday Times.

Earlier today, GNM also announced plans to launch a subscription service for its two titles, in an attempt to match its rival’s offerings and up its circulation (see GNM launches new subscription service).

Elsewhere, the News of the World and the Sunday Mirror are also set to increase their cover prices by 5p to £1, as they look to offset the downturn.

The Sunday Mirror experienced a significant 9.1% year on year decline in December, taking it’s circulation to below 1.2 million, while the News of the World witnessed a 5.7% year on year fall, however it still remains the overall top selling Sunday paper with a circulation of just under three million copies (see ABC National Newspaper Round-Up: December 2008).

On Monday, the Daily Mirror announced plans to up its cover price by 5p to 45p, making it the most expensive red-top daily tabloid.

However, Trinity Mirror said the Saturday edition of the Mirror would remain the same price (see Daily Mirror ups its cover price).

Guardian Media Group: 020 7713 4452 www.gmgplc.co.uk/ News International: 020 7782 3922 www.newscorp.co.uk Trinity Mirror: 020 7293 3000www.trinitymirror.com