ABC Regional Newspapers: Jan-Jun 2005

The ABC regional newspaper figures for the six months to June 2005 revealed mixed results for the nations top ten paid for regional newspaper groups.

The Surrey Advertisers – All Papers Group suffered the largest decline, losing 5.8% of its circulation year on year, taking its circulation down to 99,601.

The Sunday World – All Editions Group saw the second largest dip in circulation, dropping by 5.5%, despite this however, the group managed to retain its position as market leader, commanding a circulation total of 273,667.

Kent Messenger Weekly Newspaper Group claimed the top spot in terms of growth, rising by 8.6% year on year reaching a circulation total of 166,995.

Elsewhere, Celtic Newspapers pushed its circulation up by 1.8%, with Rochdale Observer Group following suit with a year on year increase of 1.1%.

The top ten paid for regional newspapers suffered declines across the board, with all titles reporting drops in their circulation’s for the six months to June 2005.

The Sunday World – Republic of Ireland Edition saw the largest drop, shedding 6.9% year on year of its circulation to command a total of 210,050. Despite this however, the publication retained its position as market leader.

The Birmingham Evening Mail also suffered a large loss, dropping by 6.4% year on year to reach a circulation of 108,651.

The downwards trend was echoed throughout all the top ten regional newspapers titles, with the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Sunday Sun declining by 4.6% year on year and the Belfast Sunday Life down by 3.4% compared to the same period last year.

The Belfast Telegraph saw the smallest percent decrease, dipping by 2.5% to command a circulation total of 108,651.

Elsewhere the Manchester Evening News and Glasgow Evening Times also lost circulation, shedding 2.6% year on year and 3% respectively.

The nation’s top ten free regional newspaper groups in the six months till June saw the KM Extra Group (Kent) notch up a healthy 17.7% year on year, increasing its circulation to 698,010 and giving it the largest rise out of the titles.

Northcliffe Newspapers Group retained its position as market leader, commanding a circulation total of 2,611,829, despite suffering slight a dip of 0.2% year on year.

Northcliffes’s biggest rival, Trinity Mirror Southern also saw a decline, albeit by just 0.4% year on year, taking its circulation total down to 2,450,353.

Elsewhere, the Observer Standard Newspapers enjoyed a rise of 9.1% year on year, as did Midland News Association Group, up 3.5% year on year and the Chronicle Newspaper Group at 4.4%.

The Yellow Advertiser Series and Adscene did not fair so well, losing 2.8% year on year and 1.1% respectively.

ABC: 01442 870 800 www.abc.org.uk