Sunday’s rack up huge circulation rises in wake of News of the World closure
Britain’s ailing Sunday tabloids have been given a much needed shot in the arm as all the leading titles notch up huge sales gains thanks to the cannibalisation of the News of the World’s readership – netting around 2m additional readers between them.
ABC figures show that the Sunday Mirror, People and Daily Star have been the main beneficiaries of the former market leaders collapse, notching up circulation increases of 64%, 70% and 130% respectively in month on month through July.
Mail on Sunday, 17% up, and the Sunday Express, 20% to the better, also witnessed a sales boost, (although not so spectacular) after embarking on a series of promotions and giveaways to lure in prospective customers.
In a further blow to News International its leading broadsheet, The Sunday Times, saw its circulation dip below the psychologically important 1m barrier for the first time.
The News of the World was unceremoniously ditched by Rupert Murdoch on July 10 in the wake of the phone hacking scandal.
Sunday papers, state of play in July circulations:
Daily Star Sunday: 703,631 130%
Sunday Mirror: 1,786,454, 64%
The People: 806,544, 70%
Sunday Express, 648,806, 20%
Sunday Times, 993,768, -0.71%
Independent on Sunday: 167,247, 10.5%
Sunday Telegraph: 501,379, 5.62%
The Observer: 288,842, -0.03%