National Newspaper ABC Round-Up August 2001

The latest figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) show that the national newspaper market as a whole saw a month on month increase of 0.6% from July to August this year.

The success story of the month was Sport First which managed a 32.7% increase in circulation, allowing it to overtake fellow sports title Racing Post with over 85,600 copies.

The Mail on Sunday showed uncharacteristic weakness during the month, with the largest month on month fall in percentage terms, of 6.5%. However, this was not the worst fall in actual numbers, as this honour went to the Sun, which registered a month on month loss of 82,000.

Quality Market

The Observer saw an 8.4% year on year increase in its circulation during August, taking it above 455,000. At the other end of the scale, fledgling financial paper Sunday Business dropped 11.8% in a year on year analysis, to a little over 55,000.

The worst fall in actual numbers was at the Times, which shed 10,000 from its circulation figure. However, at the same time, sister paper the Sunday Times added the same amount.

Mid Market

The story remains the same in the mid-market, with the Express titles losing ground as the Mail titles gain. The Daily Express saw a 9.4% drop of a shade under 100,000 in a year on year analysis this month, while the Mail on Sunday added 92,000 or 4.1%.

Popular Market

In the popular market, Sport First’s sudden circulation boost (see above) was notable, but the best increase in a year on year analysis was seen at the Daily Star where circulation was up nearly 75,000 or 14.1%.

The worst performance, in both percentage and numbers terms, was the Sunday People, down 7.7% or 117,500.

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