BBC Magazines shows growth of 1.1% in latest ABCs

BBC Magazines grew its circulation in the first six months of this year, according to audited circulations figures published today, 18 August 2011. 

In the latest report from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC), BBC Worldwide's consumer magazine publishing business posted an overall circulation of 2,980,025, up 1.1% year on year, positioning BBC Magazines as one of the UK's top performing publishing houses. In addition, subscriptions to BBC Magazines’ titles are also up 6.1% year on year, at 940,440. 

Highlights from BBC Magazines' results include the following year-on-year changes:

• Lonely Planet magazine delivers another impressive increase, up 13.7% at 62,204 and retains its number one spot at the UK’s best-selling travel magazine;
• A strong debut from pre-school title Something Special, with a circulation of 61,748;
• Countryfile magazine delivers a circulation of 39,461, up 16.6%;
• Sky at Night magazine reports at 22,803, up 8.2%;
• Homes & Antiques is up 6.5% at 58,701;
• All titles in the CBeebies portfolio reporting year on year growth, with CBeebies Weekly up 3.3% at 56,644, cementing its position as the UK's best-selling children's magazine, in monthly volume terms;
• Gardeners' World magazine, in its 20th anniversary year, increases circulation by 2.0% at 265,328;
• Top Gear magazine is up 0.1% at 190,535;
• Good Food retains its market-leading position in the food sector, at 294,720, down 3.6% - a strong performance in the context of growing competition;
• Radio Times retains its market-leading position in the quality TV-listings sector, at 901,036, down 4.9%; It also retains its position as the UK's biggest selling weekly magazine by subscription, increasing its subs by 9.6% to a record 206,372.

Peter Phippen, MD of BBC Magazines, said: "I am delighted with these strong circulation figures. This is BBC Magazines' third consecutive set of ABC results showing annual growth, with particularly strong performances from our pre-school titles and from Lonely Planet magazine, which goes from strength to strength. In its 20th anniversary year, it's also great to see Gardeners' World magazine continuing to grow. Our market-leading brands, the quality of our journalism and the loyalty of our valued customers underpin our success, contributing to our portfolio out-performing the market once again."

Further details on BBC Magazines results will be issued shortly.

NOTES TO EDITORS
The total ABC figure for BBC Magazines for January to June 2011 is 2,980,025, up +1.1% year on year and stable period on period (-0.2%).

About BBC Magazines
BBC Magazines is the magazine publishing division of BBC Worldwide, the main commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of the BBC. It publishes over 30 regular consumer titles, including Top Gear, Good Food, Gardeners' World and Radio Times and many children's titles including Doctor Who Adventures and CBeebies Weekly. 

On 16 August 2011, BBC Worldwide and Exponent Private Equity announced that they have signed a sale and licensing agreement for the publication of titles currently published by BBC Magazines. Under the terms of the deal Exponent will acquire, in full, Radio Times and a number of magazines less closely aligned to the BBC, as well as the rights to publish BBC-branded titles under licensing and contract publishing arrangements.

The transaction has the full approval of the BBC Trust. Completion of the deal is expected to take place in the autumn, following clearance from the Office of Fair Trading.

To download cover images of BBC Magazines' titles, please go to: http://www.bbcworldwide.com/magazines/covers.aspx

(Source : BBC Worldwide Press Release)