ABCs: Quality Sundays slip back after election boost

The Sunday quality press saw sales fall back in June after a May that was dominated by unprecedented post-election events. Last month's sales fillip was partially reversed at most Sunday papers in June, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulations figures published today. The Independent on Sunday was the biggest month-on-month faller, down 4.30% to 157,135, while circulation fell 3.29% year on year. In year-on-year terms, the Observer was the biggest faller, more than 20% to 307,083, although its owner Guardian News & Media, which also publishes MediaGuardian.co.uk, stripped out bulk sales in July 2009. The Observer also reduced the number of foreign sales of the paper by 17,000 compared with June last year. Sales of the Observer were down by 3.95% month on month. The Sunday Telegraph recorded the smallest month-on-month fall of 0.8% but circulation was down 17.41% compared with May 2009. Total average Sunday sales in the quality market in May stood at 2,174,764, down 2.67% year on year. The Sunday Times accounts for just under half of those sales. News International's Sunday quality market leader and the Sunday Telegraph have also stripped bulks from their ABC figures. The Sunday Times Headline circulation: 1,085,724 Month-on-month change: -2.87% Year-on-year change: -10.30% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation:1,026,289 (94.5% of total) Overseas: 59,435 The Sunday Telegraph Headline circulation: 508,706 Month-on-month change: -0.80% Year-on-year change: -17.41% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 478,506 (94% of total) Overseas: 30,200 The Observer Headline circulation: 326,821 Month-on-month change: -3.95% Year-on-year change: -20.28% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 307,083 (93.9% of total) Overseas: 19,738 The Independent on Sunday Headline circulation: 157,135 Month-on-month change: -4.30% Year-on-year change: -3.29% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 76,486 (48.6% of total) Overseas: 27,863 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".