ABCs: News of the World sales fall as online paywall goes up

Print sales of the News of the World fell by almost 5% in October, as its website moved behind News International's online paywall, according to Audit Bureau of Circulations figures published today. Circulation of the Sunday red-top dropped to 2,812,005 last month, a fall of 4.62% on September's figure. Year on year the News of the World was down 8.24%. The Mail on Sunday and Sunday Mirror were the only red-top and mid-market titles to record month-on-month sales increases in October. Trinity Mirror's Sunday Mirror saw circulation rise to 1,133,256 last month, a modest increase of 0.64% on September's figure. Year on year the Sunday Mirror was down 6.11%. The Mail on Sunday managed a 3.41% month-on-month rise in circulation, tipping the mid-market title over the 2m barrier to 2,037,232. Year on year it was down 3.73%. Circulation among all the quality Sunday titles was down month on month and year on year, with the sector as a whole declining 11.59% compared to October 2009. The Observer had the biggest year-on-year and month-on-month falls among the Sunday qualities – 14.57% and 3.7%, respectively. The paper cut overseas distribution by 14,000 copies compared with October 2009. Last month the Sunday Telegraph and the Sunday Times also had double-digit year-on-year circulation falls, down 13.95% and 11.25%, respectively. Both papers have ditched bulk copies. The Daily Star on Sunday saw the biggest month-on-month sales drop among Sunday titles in October, falling by 6.41% to 347,642. The Sunday Times Headline circulation: 1,058,333 Month-on-month change: -3.07% Year-on-year change: -11.25% Overseas: 49,330 The Sunday Telegraph Headline circulation: 506,391 Month-on-month change: -0.29% Year-on-year change: -13.95% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 479,876 (94.8% of total) Overseas: 26,515 The Observer Headline circulation: 313,466 Month-on-month change: -3.7% Year-on-year change: -14.57% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 294,620 (94% of total) Overseas: 18,847 The Independent on Sunday Headline circulation: 154,367 Month-on-month change: -0.52% Year-on-year change: -1.55% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 73,495 (48% of total) Overseas: 27,702 Mail on Sunday Headline circulation: 2,037,232 Month-on-month change: +3.41% Year-on-year change: +3.73% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 1,812,870 (89% of total) Overseas: 115,875 Sunday Express Headline circulation: 551,159 Month-on-month change: -1.63% Year-on-year change: -10.24 Overseas: 33,995 News of the World Headline circulation: 2,812,005 Month-on-month change: -4.62% Year-on-year change: -8.24% Overseas: 65,154 Sunday Mirror Headline circulation: 1,133,256 Month-on-month change: 0.64% Year-on-year change: -6.11% Overseas: 36,524 The People Headline circulation: 508,496 Month-on-month change: -4.49% Year-on-year change: -7.91% Overseas: 24,818 Daily Star Sunday Headline circulation: 347,642 Month-on-month change: -6.41% Year-on-year change: -4.67% Overseas: 11,563 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; where this figure is not given, bulks and overseas distribution account for less than 5% of total circulation • 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".