DC Thomson celebrates as Beano sales figures climb in a difficult market

Beano - Cover dated 8th February 2017

We reported on the latest ABC circulation figures for British news stand comics earlier today, and we can now reveal that Dundee-based publisher DC Thomson is delighted the Beano, 110% Gaming along with other titles No.1 and The Scots Magazine are celebrating year-on-year growth.

Despite hard times for consumer magazines across the board in the UK, weekly comic the Beano has reported sales of 34,778, its second consecutive year-on-year ABC increase. The period January to December 2016 has seen a 3.2% increase on 2015.

Mike Watson, General Manager of DC Thomson Publishing, said, “We’re delighted with these results. This ABC figure shows a substantial increase in sales, particularly through subscriptions which have grown to just under 18,000 in the last 12 months.”

110% Gaming Issue 31Also in the boys’ market, 110% Gaming, a magazine aimed at eight to 12 year-old kids focused on multi-platform gaming and entertainment, has seen a year-on-year increase of 8.1%. Sales have increased to 26,139 – a strong performance in the boys’ market.

My Weekly is up 1.5% period-on-period with recorded sales of 101,835. The title continues to outperform the mature woman’s market.

Regional Scottish titles No.1 and The Scots Magazine have also recorded strong figures.

In the first full period of DC Thomson’s ownership, No.1 magazine has seen an increase in sales to 15,449. This is a year-on-year increase of 3.6%. Editor, Nadine Hawkins, said, “I’m delighted with this result. We’ve introduced new features for our readers including ‘Humble Abode’, a monthly feature that enhances our interiors offering, and bringing in Jackie Bird as our new star columnist.”

The Scots Magazine has also continued to deliver a solid performance in a challenged market, recording an average issue sale of 24,349, up 0.1% year-on-year. The title won two awards at the PPA Scottish Magazine Awards. Robert Wight was named Consumer Magazine Editor of the Year, and the magazine also won the award for Online Presence (scotsmagazine.com).

General Manager, Mike Watson, concluded, “In our magazine business we’ve driven circulation through new launches of both licensed titles and our own IP. 110% Gaming’s recorded 8.1% growth is a great example of how successful new launches can be, even in the competitive children’s market. This, alongside continued success of existing titles such as My Weekly and the Beano, show the strength of our magazine stable.

“We’ll continue to see significant new launches and will look to add to our portfolio where we can, both through our own and external IP.”

In Spring 2017 DC Thomson Publishing is returning to its Meadowside headquarters in Dundee after an extensive renovation.

• There are more details of the Audit Bureau Of Circulations on its website

You can view our British Comic Sales Figures spreadsheet – going back to 2006 – here

As noted above, not every UK comic is ABC rated



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