Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide Press Releases

15.08.03

Circulation up 6% for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines has seen overall circulation increase by 6% year on year and 3% period on period, with Radio Times, eve, Top Of The Pops, History, Gardeners' World, It's HOT! and Fimbles among the biggest success stories in the latest round of official circulation figures.

Highlights of the ABCs for January to June 2003 include:

• Radio Times up year on year and period on period;
  
• eve becomes fastest growing women's monthly period on period;
  
• Highest ABC for two years for TOTP;
  
• Double digit percentage increase for It's HOT!;
  
• Top Gear retaining market leadership with UK newsstand and subscriptions up;
  
• Record circulation for History Magazine;
  
• Gardeners' World further extending market leadership;
  
• Debut ABC of over 120,000 for new pre-school launch Fimbles.

Says Managing Director of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines Peter Phippen: "This exciting set of ABCs underlines just what we are achieving at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines, with year on year increases for titles ranging from Radio Times to Girl Talk and eve to Top Of The Pops. And, as well as investing in our existing portfolio of titles, we are launching and acquiring new ones - all aimed at once again making Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines the fastest growing consumer magazine publisher."

Radio Times
This area of the business, under Publishing Director Marcus Arthur, encompasses not just Radio Times itself but also all brand developments, including new media and books.

Radio Times celebrates a year on year increase in circulation this period - the first such rise for many years. Period on period, the title is stable but this itself is a huge achievement as the previous period included the 2.7 million-selling Christmas issue.

In her first year as Editor, Gill Hudson has dramatically improved Radio Times. These changes have included carefully expanding listings (radio and TV) to include the channels readers want to know about, as well as adding more family-friendly pages and viewing symbols. All of this has been about guidance - steering readers through the confusion of scores of new channels, digital technology, and concerns over suitable family viewing.

It is this understanding of the multi-channel world that led Radio Times to produce its first tailored edition for a third party in its history. The launch of the ntl:home edition for cable customers early this period has contributed to its circulation success this period. ntl and Radio Times have several new marketing initiatives planned over the next few months, to further increase subscriptions to the title during 2003.

Brand extensions have included placing Radio Times branded content on Orange and Vodafone mobile phones - continuing the title's use of cutting edge technology to find innovative ways of taking Radio Times to new audiences. The title's excellent website, radiotimes.com, has attracted 60,000 more users this period.

In October, Radio Times publishes two new books - the latest edition of the Radio Times Guide to Films plus its brand new Guide to TV Comedy.

Says Marcus Arthur, Publishing Director: "This has been one of the most exciting periods for Radio Times and how appropriate that we should celebrate circulation growth as we approach the title's 80th birthday. Improvements to the magazine, taking account - as Radio Times always has - of changes in broadcasting have been combined with cutting edge technological brand extensions, confirming once more that RT is much more than just a listings magazine and is as much about looking forward as it is about celebrating its unrivalled history."

Notes:
Radio Times will be 80 years old on 28 September. The first issue, priced 2d (one third of a modern penny), sold 250,000 copies n It is Britain's most profitable magazine n The Christmas issue is Britain's best-selling magazine... and an integral part of a family Christmas.

Interests Group - History, Wildlife, Music, Top Gear, Good Food, Gardeners' World, Gardens Illustrated
Publishing Director Ashley Munday is responsible for the Interests titles. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Music Magazine and Gardens Illustrated record annual ABCs, announced in February.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ History Magazine celebrates its highest ABC ever. The magazine is up period on period and year on year, having enjoyed another hugely successful period. Subscriptions are up by 16% year on year. Highlights have included the second Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ History Magazine Lecture before a 500-strong audience, two `History Live!' supplements and headline-grabbing editorial, including an interview with Education Secretary Charles Clarke.

Says Publisher Phil Callow: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ History Magazine is a continuing success story, thanks to intelligent promotion and strong word of mouth. But we are far from complacent and will be freshening up History with a new-look from the November issue."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wildlife Magazine celebrated its 40th birthday and was given a new-look this period, based on the largest piece of research into the natural history market ever carried out. Although the new-look, from the June issue, came too late to impact upon this ABC, sales of subsequent issues have been up by more than 30% on average year on year. In addition, Wildlife has been inundated with requests for extra copies of the free pocket guides covermounted bound into the new-look issues, covering subjects such as British butterflies. The September issue will carry a supplement jointly produced with the Ramblers Association.

Says Phil Callow: "We are delighted with the impact of the new-look for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Wildlife magazine. The stronger, more visual style we have adopted is paying dividends."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Top Gear Magazine celebrates its 19th consecutive period as market-leader, with newsstand sales up by 4%, and celebrates its 10th birthday next issue in fine form. New Editor Michael Harvey took over in June and new Art Director Charlie Turner is about to take up post. Together they will be making subtle changes to Top Gear over the coming months, starting with a new more contemporary page format for the magazine and a completely redesigned data section.

Says Publisher Adam Waddell: "Newsstand sales are up by 4% and subscriptions have broken through 20,000 - and all this before the effects of the changes to be made under new editor Michael Harvey have been felt. With sales pointing in the right direction and the brand stronger than ever we are looking forward to a period of growth."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Good Food magazine extends its market-leading position with a stable ABC year on year and has boosted subscriptions by 16% year on year and increased active purchase by 4% to 98% of copies. The title's period on period fall reflects the fact that the previous period included the big-selling Christmas issue. This period also saw the publication of another one-shot spin-off from the monthly magazine: Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Good Food Pasta Cookbook.

Says Publishing Director Ashley Munday: "Good Food remains the biggest and most successful food magazine brand in the UK. Despite increasing activity in the market, the title has seen growth in subscriptions and active purchase this period and has extended its market lead."

With Good Food's strong position as market-leader secure, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines is to launch a new food title, codenamed `Project Olive', later this year, with other potential titles to follow.

Says Ashley Munday: "We are going to use the strength and talent that we have in the food market to grow our position still further with the launch of Project Olive and other potential launches next year."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gardeners' World magazine continues to lead the category in fine form, delivering a year-on-year circulation increase of 3%. Coinciding with the fantastic response to this spring's new line-up on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gardeners' World TV, the brand is growing ever stronger.

Sales have been boosted by a series of strongly themed and promoted issues, such as Cottage Gardens and Perfect Pots, together with new and innovative ways of capitalising on the title's seasonal peak and encouraging greater impulse purchase. Gardeners World now has record numbers of subscribers, with 8% year on year growth taking the total to more than 120,000 for the first time.

Three issues of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gardeners' World's sister publication, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Easy Gardening, were also published this spring with great success. The title will announce its debut ABC next period, when Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' other gardening title, Gardens Illustrated, will announce its annual ABC.

Says Publisher Dominic Murray: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Gardeners' World has strengthened its market-leading position this period, adding sales while also successfully publishing a sister title aimed at a new audience. We'll be looking to grow the category still further in the future."

Notes:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ History Magazine was launched in April 2000 and has already won two BSME awards for Editor Greg Neale n Wildlife's Editor Rosamund Kidman celebrated 20 years at the helm this period and Sir David Attenborough was among the guests at her surprise party n An Arabic version of Top Gear Magazine is published under licence in a number of Middle Eastern territories - from this period, including Iraq n Good Food is a huge seller at Christmas. When combined with one-shot Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Good Food Vegetarian Christmas, sales exceeded 550,000 for the 2002 issue n Gardeners World sells more than all its competitors on the newsstand combined.

Women's Group - eve, Good Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs & Antiques
Publishing Director Jo Morrell is responsible for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' Women's titles.

With circulation up by 10% year on year and 8% period on period; newsstand sales by 10% year on year and subscriptions by an incredible 81% year on year, eve magazine is now firmly established as one of the fastest growing women's titles in the UK.

The secret of eve's success? Recognising what women in their 30's really want, offering a place of inspiration and fulfilment in the lives of British women, and spotting a real shift in attitudes away from outer desires towards inner needs. The regular opener 'women doing their own thing' sets this tone and has become one of the most popular features of the magazine.

eve listens to its readers. The magazine boasts a vast reader panel; it's panelists in constant touch with the editorial team to contribute ideas and opinions. From fashion to food to homes to health, eve is delivering with pinpoint accuracy what readers really want from their magazine.

Other highlights this period include an immensely successful find the 'Face of Eve' campaign, recognising the glamour that comes with the confidence you gain after hitting 30; and a ground breaking promotions strategy focusing on quality and relevance, with eve becoming the first British women's glossy to covermount a DVD.

Says Publishing Director Jo Morrell: "Our readers are incredibly evangelical about eve. They like the fact that we reflect every facet of their personalities and appreciate that they increasingly value themselves and each other more for their experiences than possessions. Sure we have the UK's authoritative writers, the best beauty editors and the most gorgeous fashion in the business but we also don't take life too seriously and we aim to inspire. This tone is uniquely eve. And it's a mix that advertisers love.

"Our priority now is to continue to increase circulation and we will be working to make every pound of marketing spend work for us as we spread the word about eve: the UK's fastest growing women's monthly."

The redesign of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs & Antiques this period under new editor Mary Carroll has quickly paid dividends, with a 1% increase period on period - the title's first for five years. The title is maintaining its position in the marketplace against key competitors. Sister title Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Good Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs will be next to undergo change, when new editor Lisa Allen joins in the autumn, and the title has boosted subscriptions by 34% and active purchase by 9% year on year.

Says Publisher Brian Whittaker: "Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs & Antiques has turned a significant corner this period, not only maintaining its position in a market that has remained as fiercely competitive as ever but also seeing some well-deserved growth. With Good Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs we have put in place some solid foundations for growth ahead of the new editor joining."

Notes:
eve was launched in August 2000 and is the only surviving title out of five women's magazines to launch that year n Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs & Antiques celebrated its tenth birthday in January, while Good Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔs was five years old in March.

Youth & Children's
Publishing Directors Jaynie Bye and Toni Round are responsible for teenage titles Top Of The Pops and It's HOT!; pre-teen titles such as Girl Talk and a new range of Disney-branded magazines; educational titles including Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning is Fun! and pre-school magazines such as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Toybox, Tweenies and newcomer Fimbles.

Top Of The Pops Magazine is up by 7% year on year and 3% period on period and records its highest ABC for two years, extending its record lead over its nearest pop rival to more than 100,000 and out-performing other teen titles.

The magazine, which celebrated its 100th issue this period, has continued to stay close to what its readers want - research consistently confirming that they think it is the funniest magazine with the best exclusives and insider gossip. Top Of The Pops' circulation has remained undented by a new entrant to the market and other activity by competitors.

Stablemate It's HOT!, launched in April last year, has done even better, with an 11% period on period increase and 12% year on year increase compared to the publisher's statement based on audited sales of the first three issues.

Says Publisher Alfie Lewis: "It's HOT! has been a hugely successful launch and its double-digit circulation growth is a tremendous achievement. The magazine's unique features, such as celebrity comic strips, plus easily digestible layout and attractive design have attracted readers from long established titles, which we now have within our sights."

"The Top Of The Pops brand remains powerful and popular. The magazine has now been market-leader for six and a half years - a position that is strengthened with this new ABC - and the publication of Top Of The Pops Magazine's 100th issue in June was another landmark. Our formula for continued success will be to stay in touch with our readers and keep giving them exactly what they want."

In pre-teen, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' well-established Girl Talk saw circulation increase by 2% year on year and maintained its position as market-leading pre-teen girls magazine, despite increased competition in the `tweenage' market. The title underwent the biggest redesign in its history towards the end of the period, which should result in even more success next time.

Says Publishing Director Toni Round: "It is great to see Girl Talk enjoying renewed circulation success in the face of the stiff competition it now faces. Our investment, both in terms of editorial and marketing, has paid dividends and the title's redesign has succeeded in attracting more readers."

Girl Talk was joined by a new sister title this period - Popgirl - but the title will not have an ABC until February, alongside the other new launch: Action Hero, aimed at boys aged four to seven.

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' pre-teen Disney portfolio recorded total circulation of more than 145,000 following the launch of Disney's Explorer last November. Meanwhile, a new title, Disney's Animated Adventures, launched on 6 August and other new launches are in the pipeline.

Says Toni Round: "We're thrilled to be working with Disney and will be launching new titles in partnership with them, following the debut earlier this month of Disney's Animated Adventures. We also have exciting plans for building the circulation of the existing portfolio."

Together, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' pre-school and educational titles sold more than a million copies this period, with the three educational titles - Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Learning is Fun! and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ The Magic Key for five to sevens, and Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Toybox Teach Me, for pre-school children - together selling 150,000.

In pre-school, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines has the top six titles. Newcomer Fimbles, launched in November, records a debut ABC of 120,594 and immediately becomes the UK's third best selling pre-school magazine. Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Toybox holds onto its number one position with sales of 177,864.

Says Toni Round: "For Fimbles to be such an instant hit is tremendous and demonstrates how Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines is able to constantly refresh the market with new and exciting launches, whilst successfully managing the more established titles such as Teletubbies and Noddy."

Further evidence of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines' expertise in the pre-school market will be seen with next month's launch of My First Magazine. The company is teaming up with Dorling Kindersley, publishers of children's non-fiction books, to create this unique developmental title for children aged two to five. The 24-page four-weekly magazine, priced Β£1.50 launches on 24 September.

Notes:
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines is the UK's leading publisher of children's magazines n Top Of The Pops has sold more than 30 million copies since its launch in March 1995 n It's HOT! replaced Live & Kicking Magazine in 2002 and is selling 50% more copies than its predecessor n Girl Talk was launched in 1995 - long before its competitors n Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Magazines established the new genre of pre-school magazines back in 1990 - although it is a market that sees characters come and go, Noddy magazine is still a hit more than a decade later.

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