ABCs: Independent on Sunday sees sector's biggest month-on-month rise

The general election campaign gave the quality Sunday market a circulation boost in April, with all papers in the sector posting month-on-month rises, according to the latest figures from the Audit Bureau of Circulation published today. Last month, the Independent on Sunday posted the biggest month-on-month headline increase, 8.99%, and an 18.9% rise in paid-for circulation. The paper may have benefited from the free sampling exercise and advertising that surrounded the relaunch of sister title the Independent on 20 April. The Sindy was the only Sunday quality paper to post a year-on-year rise as well, although its rivals are all suffering comparisons with last April, before bulks were stripped out of their figures. The Observer also distributed 15,000 fewer overseas copies than in April 2009. The Independent on Sunday's UK and Ireland paid-for circulation is by far the smallest in the Sunday quality market, in relative terms. The Sunday Times Headline circulation: 1,135,077 Month-on-month change: +2.11%. Year-on-year change: -7.09% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 1,088,732 (96% of total) Overseas: 46,345 The Sunday Telegraph Headline circulation: 510,146 Monthly: +0.08% Yearly: -10.84% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 484,558 (95%) Overseas: 25,588 The Observer Headline circulation: 331,791 Monthly: +0.09% Yearly: -21.30% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 310,408 (94%) Overseas: 21,364 The Independent on Sunday Headline circulation: 168,151 Monthly: -+8.99% Yearly: +1.88% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 85,912 (51%) Overseas: 27,628 Headline circulation includes lesser rate sales, subscriptions, bulks – copies sold to airlines, rail companies, hotels and gyms for a nominal fee and given free to the public – and distribution in Ireland and overseas. UK and Ireland paid for circulation excludes bulks and overseas distribution • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".