National Newspapers

Latest Changes

April 2012

National Newspapers: Greater circulation detail is to be reported. From the April 2012 period Monday to Friday circulations, Saturday circulations and circulation of excluded issues will be published. From July 2012 daily average indices across each six month period (January to June and July to December) will be published
Note: Section B8.4 of the Reporting Standards has been updated to reflect the changes to UK and Northern Ireland Bank Holidays this year because of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (Spring Bank Holiday moved to June 4th and additional Bank Holiday on June 5th).

Previous Changes

November 2011

Changes in cover price: From the January 2012 reporting period changes in cover price caused solely by changes in VAT rates will be ignored for ABC purposes.

Multiple copy sales: The requirements in relation to airline multiple copy sales have been revised, effective from the February 2011 reporting period. Please refer to the letter on the above link for details.

Appeal procedure: Where a member appeals against a decision in relation to an ABC audit or inspection, the timescale within which the Director of Audit will investigate and provide a decision has been amended from 5 working days to 10 working days.

Pre-paid non-postal subscriptions and Paid Postal Subscriptions: Treatment of subscription offers such as 'Buy 12 issues for the price of 10' and 'Subscribe to 10 issues and get 2 free' has been clarified.
Multiple copy sales: The requirements in relation to airline multiple copy sales (now including airside and international rail services) have been revised and clarified, effective from the January 2010 reporting period.

Pre-paid non-postal subscriptions: amendment allowing the inclusion of pre-paid non-postal subscription sales purchased by someone other than the recipient of the newspaper (‘gift subscriptions’)

Pre-paid non-postal subscription sales: change allowing for situation where sales in this category are paid by direct debit or continuous credit card billing resulting in copies being paid for slightly in arrears