National Newspaper ABC Round-Up – September 2000

Month on Month

In a month on month analysis, sales of national newspapers rose by 1.1% during September 2000. Figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) showed that small rises were seen across the majority of titles.

The heaviest losses were felt at the Racing Post where sales dropped by over 4,500 copies or 5.8%. The Sunday Sport fell even more in terms of actual change in circulation, losing almost 7,500, representing 3.6% of its circulation base.

The largest increases in circulation were seen at the Sunday Times, which increased by 7.2%, and the Financial Times, which increased by 6.1%.

Year On Year

Quality Market

In the year on year analysis of the quality market, which grew by 1.3% overall, business titles the Financial Times and Sunday Business continue to show the largest increases, with 17.3% and 8.6% respectively.

The Observer also managed to make good gains during September, rising 7.6% or over 30,000 copies. The worst performer was the Daily Telegraph, which fell 2%.

Mid Market

The mid market failed to make any headway during September, falling 0.3% in the year on year analysis. The Daily Express was the worst performer, dropping 2.2% or around 24,000 copies, followed by sister title the Sunday Express, whose circulation fell away by 1.9%.

Popular Market

The popular market showed a year on year decrease of 2.7% during September. Contributing to this drop were the poor performances of Sport First which dropped over 6,000 copies or 8.7%, the Sunday Sport which fell by 6% and the Sunday People which dropped 5.8%

The only titles in this category to manage gains were the Daily Star, which was 2.2% up year on year, and the Racing Post, up 1.8% in year on year analysis, despite a poor month on month performance (see above).

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