FEBRUARY proved to be a solid month for News Scotland – publishers of The Times Scotland, The Sunday Times Scotland and The Scottish Sun.
The latest ABC National Newspapers Report, which provides average circulation figures for February, is very good news for News Scotland.
Across the titles, strong stories in February lifted sales.
The February ABC figures show that The Sunday Times is the strong leader in Scotland’s quality Sunday market, with circulation of 49,698 – an increase of 11.32 per cent since February 2016.
The Times’ daily circulation of 27,046 represents an increase of 22.28 per cent since last year.
The Scottish Sun continues to lead the daily popular market with circulation of 200,659. Its 7.70 per cent year-on-year decrease compares with the 12.21 per cent decline in the next biggest-selling title to circulation of 148,295.
Meanwhile, in the Sunday popular market, The Sun on Sunday has bucked the trend of all the other titles and delivered a year-on-year circulation increase of 0.56 per cent to 155,735 – now very close to the current market leader at 158,976, which fell 12.65 per cent since last February.
Earlier this month, The Scottish Sun launched a brand new loyalty club – Sun Savers, which gives readers £5 cash for every 28 papers they buy: around a fiver a month just for picking up their favourite paper.
Commenting on the figures, Richard Bogie, general manager of News Scotland, said: “These are very welcome figures, driven by our investment in journalism and the strong stories our journalists break.
“The ABC report demonstrates that the performance of News Scotland titles is one of market leadership and market growth.
“The Scottish Sun is number one by far in the daily popular market, and the Sun on Sunday has bucked the trend to boost circulation, dramatically narrowing the gap at the top of the Sunday popular market.
“And we are delighted with the launch of Sun Savers earlier this month, the richest loyalty scheme in the country.
“Both The Times and The Sunday Times have shown double-digit circulation increases since last year.
“We are living in momentous political times at home and abroad, and the goal of our newspapers and their digital platforms is to provide readers with quality information and a variety of opinion so that they can make up their own minds.
“That is why News Scotland is investing in journalism and recruiting talent, which is needed now more than ever in an era of fake online news.
“In an age when trust is at a premium we are witnessing a flight to quality, and our titles are at the forefront of that trend.”
ENDS
For further information, please call Laura Leslie or David Gaffney at Charlotte Street Partners on 0131 516 5310.
MEDIA RELEASE issued by Charlotte Street Partners. You too can share your stories (aka press or media releases), on this site. Email here for more information.
Check out twitter.com/scotsbulletin for your very own media releases feed…
Check out twitter.com/allMediaNews.
Stay connected with our various twitter feeds: Charities, Drink, Education, Energy, Fashion, Film, Food, Gardens, Legal, Motors, Music, Outdoors, Property, Science and Sports. And not forgetting Finance, Theatre, Travel, Festivals, Visual Arts, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Stirling.
Charlotte Street Partners contact details…
Contact: David Gaffney
