Circulation Data – ABC Analysis

#CircData: Weekend papers down 14%, dailies down 11.7%

by Herman Manson (@marklives) The Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa has released newspaper-circulation statistics for the period July–September 2019 (ABC Q3 2019); see our consumer magazine ABC analysis here.

Newspaper overview

Total newspaper circulation declined by 1.9% the previous quarter, and by 6% on the prior year
Daily newspapers declined 6.0% on the previous quarter, and by 11.7% on the prior year
Weekly newspapers declined by 1.3% on the previous quarter, and by 7.9% on the prior year
Weekend newspapers declined by 6.6% on the previous quarter, and by 14% on the prior year
Local newspapers increased by 0.2% on the previous quarter, and declined by 4.6% on the prior year.

Daily papers

In Gauteng, Pretoria News has declined by -9.4% from 13 026 to 11 802 (single copy sales: 6 106) in the corresponding previous period (Q3 2018). Beeld has fallen -3.10% from 31 363 to 30 392 (single copy sales: 12 078). The Star is down by -13.2% from 76 363 to 66 280 (sales below 50%: 10 462; contracted travel sales: 19 263; single copy sales: 22 365). Sowetan is down 14.14% from 70 072 to 60 166 (single copy sales: 55 560).

In the Western Cape, Die Burger has declined –15.73% from 42 363 to 35 701 (single copy sales: 16 700).

The Cape Argus is down -5.21% from 27 260 to 25 840 (sales below 50%: 3 804), while the Cape Times is down -5.43% from 28 642 to 27 086 (sales below 50%: 2 890). Son has fallen -19.32%, from 56 199 to 45 340.

In the Eastern Cape, Daily Dispatch has fallen -2.46%, from 15 140 to 14 768, and The Herald has fallen -3.96%, from 14 476 to 13 903.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the Daily News is down -10.71% from 23 125 to 20 649 (sales below 50%: 2 793; contracted travel sales: 4 651) and The Mercury has fallen -10.63% from 25 038 to 22 376 (sales below 50%: 2 695; contracted travel sales: 4 364). The Witness has declined by -7.80% from 11 037 to 10 176.

The Citizen has fallen by -8.66% from 41 898 to 38 270 (multicopy sales: 2 578; contracted travel sales: 8 253) and Business Day has declined -2.67% from 18 545 to 18 049. The Daily Sun has fallen -13.83% from 122 011 to 105 131. Isolezwe has decreased -15.93% from 78 180 to 65 728.

Volksblad has declined -2.96% from 12 791 to 12 413. Diamond Fields Advertiser has decreased by -6.48% from 7 363 to 6 886.

Weekly & weekend papers

Pretoria News Saturday has fallen by -10% from 7 299 to 6 588 (sales below 50% of cover price: 1 581); the Saturday Star has fallen 21% from 44 091 to 34 782 (sales below 50% of cover price: 5 679; contracted travel sales: 6 402); the Weekend Argus (Saturday and Sunday editions) has declined by -12% from 51 007 to 44 788 (sales below 50% of cover price: 7 772; contracted travel sales: 4 000) and the Independent on Saturday has fallen -8% from 35 242 to 32 582 (sales below 50% of cover price: 8 837).

Saturday Beeld has climbed 4% from 35 775 to 37 041 but Saturday Burger has fallen -3% from 50 669 to 49 257. Daily Dispatch Weekend Edition has declined -3% from 13 656 to 13 282.

City Press has dropped -18% from 47 824 to 39 172 and Rapport is down -2% from 100 699 to 98 647. The Sunday Times has declined by -11% from 248 583 to 220 857 (contracted travel sales: 29 029; multicopy sales: 11 270).

Sunday Tribune has declined -9% from 50 432 to 45 961 (sales below 50%: 14 337). Sunday Sun has fallen by -25% from 51 758 to 38 831. The Sunday World has fallen -14% from 43 087 to 37 165.

Ilanga Langesonto has declined by -11% from 35 160 to 31 291 and Isolezwe ngeSonto has fallen by -25% from 63 770 to 47 918. Isolezwe ngoMgqibelo has fallen -24% from 66 097 to 50 541
(-15.58%).

In terms of the weeklies, The Post has declined by -2% from 37 609 to 36 724 (sales below 50%: 3 346), while Ilanga has declined by -7% from 57 652 to 53 612. The Mail & Guardian is down -1% from 22 311 to 22 119 (multicopy sales: 6 000). Soccer Laduma is down -13% from 250 231 to 218 689.

The MarkLives’ Biggest Circulation Per Issue Newspaper List*

Q3 2019

1. Sunday Times: 220 857
2. Soccer Laduma: 218 689
3. Daily Sun: 105 131
4. Rapport: 98 647
5. The Star: 66 280
6. Isolezwe: 65 728 +1
7. Sowetan: 60 166 -1
8. Ilanga 53 612
9. Isolezwe ngoMgqibelo: 50 541
10. Die Burger (Saturday): 49 257